BENGALURU- Air India (AI), a leading global airline in India, and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have forged an agreement aimed at transforming Bengaluru Airport (BLR) into a premier aviation hub for southern India, with the goal of enhancing air travel connectivity to and from India in the coming years.
This collaboration signifies a significant milestone in the Indian aviation sector. Air India and other Tata Group airlines, such as AIX (IX) and Vistara (UK), will work alongside BIAL to elevate international connectivity, operational efficiency, and passenger experience over the next five years.
Air India Bengaluru Hub
Key initiatives include bolstering the group’s presence at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB or BLR airport) through an expanded network and the establishment of a dedicated domestic lounge catering to premium and frequent travelers of Tata Group airlines, including Air India and Vistara.
In addition, Air India has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Karnataka to establish comprehensive Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities at BLR airport.
This move underscores Air India’s commitment to fortifying its presence in Bengaluru and, in the long term, expanding its global reach to meet the increasing demand for direct long-haul routes originating from Southern India.
The partnership is expected to stimulate the MRO ecosystem and create over 1,200 new job opportunities for highly skilled individuals in the state.
CEO Insights
Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India, emphasized the crucial role of airline-airport collaboration in enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.
He highlighted Bengaluru’s appeal as an origin and destination market and a connecting hub, expressing Air India’s enthusiasm for strengthening its partnership with BIAL.
The aim is to expand the airline’s presence at the airport, enhance air connectivity, and establish a major MRO center. Wilson described this partnership agreement as a significant milestone in Air India’s ongoing transformation.
Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited emphasized BLR Airport’s commitment to solidifying its position as the primary international gateway in Southern and Central India, given its status as the busiest airport in South India.
He stated that the collaboration with Air India aligns perfectly with the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s vision of developing Indian airports as hubs, demonstrating the airport’s dedication to improving the passenger experience.
Marar pointed out that many international outbound travelers from Bengaluru and its catchment area head to Europe, North America, Australia, and the Far East. This makes the alliance with Air India crucial in achieving this objective. Over the next five years, the airport aims to secure a significant share of long-haul routes from BLR Airport.
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