Bengaluru Airport News: Dedicated Terminal Planned for Haj Pilgrims
Bengaluru Airport News
Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru is set to get a separate terminal for Haj pilgrims. The plan is still at an early stage, but it could give pilgrims a more comfortable start to their journey.
Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), the company that runs the airport, is planning a contingency terminal for Haj pilgrims, according to a source. At present, the airport uses a temporary facility during the Haj season. An official said this could now become a permanent structure.
The Haj Committee of India usually plans pilgrim flight departures from Bengaluru in April and May. During this time, a temporary passenger holding area is set up at the airport to manage the extra crowd. Because this arrangement is temporary, it has to be created again each season.
According to the report, the planned terminal will have these features:
- It can handle more than 10,000 passengers every year, according to estimates.
- It will be planned as a “silent terminal,” which suggests a calm, quiet environment for pilgrims. The report did not explain what this means in detail.
- Outside the Haj season, the building will be turned into a sports facility for recreational use.
This means the building will not stay empty for most of the year.
Karnataka is among the top 10 Indian states in the number of Haj pilgrims it sends every year. This year alone, the Karnataka State Haj Committee sent 11,680 pilgrims. Most of them flew in and out of Bengaluru’s KIA.
Haj pilgrims usually travel with family members and elders, and many come to the airport with large groups and a lot of luggage. A separate terminal can reduce crowding in the main terminals, make check-in and boarding smoother, and give pilgrims more space to wait and rest.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
