Monday, April 8, 2024
Air India, India’s premier global airline, and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have forged an agreement aimed at propelling Bengaluru into a top-tier aviation hub for southern India. The objective is to enhance air travel connectivity to and from India in the coming years.
This agreement signifies a momentous milestone in the Indian aviation sector. Collaborating with other Tata Group airlines – AIX and Vistara – Air India and BIAL will work together to elevate international connectivity, operational efficiency, and passenger satisfaction over a five-year period.
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 flyers of Tata Group airlines Air India and Vistara.
Moreover, Air India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Karnataka to establish extensive Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities at BLR airport. This move underscores Air India’s commitment to fortifying its presence in Bengaluru and gradually expanding its global reach to meet the escalating demand for direct long-haul routes originating from Southern India. This partnership is expected to invigorate the MRO ecosystem, generating more than 1,200 new job opportunities for highly skilled individuals in the state.
Campbell Wilson, Managing Director and CEO of Air India, said, “Airline-airport synergy is key to elevated customer experience and efficient operations, while Bengaluru is highly attractive as an origin and destination market as well as a connecting hub. We are therefore delighted to be strengthening our relationship with BIAL with a view to developing a greater presence at the airport, expanding air connectivity as well as building a major MRO center. This partnership agreement is a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of Air India.”
Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO, Bangalore International Airport Limited, said, “As the busiest airport in South India, BLR Airport is dedicated to strengthening its position as the primary international gateway in Southern and Central India. This collaboration aligns perfectly with the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s vision of developing Indian airports as hubs, reflecting our commitment to enhancing the passenger experience. Given that over half of the international outbound travellers from Bengaluru and our catchment head to Europe, North America, Australia, and the Far East, our alliance with Air India represents a substantial leap towards this goal. We aim to capture a significant share of long-haul routes from BLR Airport over the next five years.”
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