India’s Kempegowda International Airport Taking Over Japan’s Proud No. 1 On-Time Departure Rate from Haneda

What is the amazing overall picture of the much-talked-about airport, Kempegowda International Airport?

When asked if there were any parts of Japanese airports that were used as references, the answer was, 

“Zero.”

Hari Marar, CEO of the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, India’s third largest city, answered, “Zero”, The airport opened its new Terminal 2 this year. The new terminal, with its innovative design and state-of-the-art technology from India, an IT advanced country, is the talk of the town.

Incidentally, it is well known that India’s main subway system, including Bengaluru, was built by Japanese ODA, and Japan has been involved in the construction and expansion of many airports, especially in Asia, including Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, and Beijing Capital International Airport in China.

India’s population has surpassed China’s to become the world’s largest (approximately 1.4 billion people).

If Delhi is the gateway to northern India, then Mumbai is to western India, and Bengaluru (formerly known as Bangalore) is to southern India. In particular, in recent years, Bengaluru, India’s third largest city, has been attracting the world’s IT companies and growing as a driving force of the Indian economy, and JAL’s Narita-Bengaluru route is in operation. As of September 2023, 24 foreign airlines and 8 Indian airlines operate flights to Bengaluru, with 25 international destinations and 75 domestic destinations.

 

We conducted official coverage of Kempegowda International Airport and interviewed the CEO of the airport company. We witnessed a situation that differs from what has often been seen at airports in Asia.

15 years after the opening of the airport, the number of passengers is increasing rapidly. COVID-19 crisis also “reached a new record” in cargo.

Kempegowda International Airport opened in May 2008. The airport initially had one terminal, which was expanded as the number of passengers increased. From 2019 to 2020, before Corona, the number of annual passengers exceeded 33 million, and the number of departures and arrivals reached over 230,000

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A statue of King Kempe Gowda I was visible from the car window near the airport entrance, a man known as the founder of Bengaluru as a fortified city in 1537.

The COVID-19 crisis also set a new record for the number of cargo handled. Incidentally, Kempe Gowda is King Kempe Gowda I, the founder of the city of Bengaluru, whose large statue towers at the entrance of the airport.

 

In 2023, after more than two years of construction, Terminal 2 was completed. The airport is 255,661 square meters in area, and is expected to handle 25.5 million passengers per year.

 

The “nature-filled” airport design is typical of the garden city of Bengaluru.

Stepping into Terminal 2, one is first overwhelmed by the luxurious and glittering design that makes it hard to believe that it is an airport. The airport says that it was designed to “enhance the passenger experience and provide a memorable visual impression,” and was based on four concepts: “garden terminal,” “environmental conservation,” “IT,” and “art and culture”.

Domestic boarding gate area. Indian artwork is on display. The lighting design hanging from the ceiling also shows attention to detail.

Bengaluru is located in the Deccan Plateau and is known as a “garden city” with a mild climate and abundant greenery. With as many as 600,000 plants procured from all over India and the world, including Japan, in the airport, “nature” can be felt everywhere.

The 10,350-square-meter “Green Wall” in the corridor leading to the security checkpoint is particularly impressive. There is a 650-year-old olive tree, as well as acerola and cactus plants.

A water hose system has been installed to supply water to the plants from the ceiling in flower pots hanging from the ceiling. A nursery is located on the airport grounds for seeds and seedlings.

 

As a cutting-edge city in the “IT advanced country of India,” the airport is also quick to introduce the latest equipment.

Bamboo is used extensively in the terminal. These are nonflammable bamboo, which have been attracting attention in recent years as an environmentally friendly and sustainable material.

In addition, 12 rainwater reservoirs will be installed, 100% of waste at the airport will be recycled, no disposable plastics will be provided at restaurants and other places, and solar panels will be installed. These environmentally friendly initiatives have been recognized by the Airports Council International (ACI) through its Airport Carbon Accreditation, a certification system for international airports that work to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. (In Japan, Narita Airport has received Level 3 certification, while Kansai International Airport, Itami Airport, Kobe Airport, and Chubu Airport have received Level 4 certification.)

In recent years, the number of automatic baggage deposit machines has been increasing at major airports around the world, including Japan. At this airport, too, 34 of the latest devices have been installed to help ease congested lines.

IT is also state-of-the-art. In addition to spacious check-in counters, the airport will be equipped with 34 automatic baggage claim machines, 40 automatic check-in machines, and smart security and body scanners for security screening. The airport is also equipped with an in-line baggage handling system that can process an average of 4,500 pieces of baggage per hour, and electronic information displays are easy to understand.

The statues of deities and other objects on loan from the Ministry of Archaeology in Karnataka. Some of the statues are from the 11th century. Exhibits are changed every few months.

In addition, as many as 60 works by 43 artists selected from the state of Karnataka, where Bengaluru is located, and from all over India, are on display in Terminal 2. In addition to cultural diversity, such as statues of ancient deities, some of the works include elements of modern art.