The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Bengaluru, is set to implement significant changes to its pick-up and parking regulations to combat chronic congestion and ensure smoother passenger movement at the arrival kerbside of both Terminals 1 (T1) and 2 (T2). These "enhanced pick-up measures" will come into effect starting December 8, 2025.
The move by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) is primarily aimed at deterring unauthorized parking and the prolonged waiting of vehicles that contribute to "artificial congestion" at the pick-up points.
Key Rules for Private Vehicles (White Board)
Private cars will now operate under a strict time-bound system at the designated arrival pick-up zones for both T1 and T2:
The free period of eight minutes is considered sufficient for a smooth pick-up and is much higher than international standards, according to BIAL. The charges will not apply to private vehicles dropping off passengers at the departure gates.
Rules for Commercial Vehicles (Yellow Board Taxis and Cabs)
Commercial vehicles, including yellow-board taxis, electric cabs (EVs), and self-drive yellow-board vehicles, are required to follow a separate protocol:
- Mandatory Parking: Commercial vehicles must not wait in the kerbside pick-up lanes. They are mandated to wait for passengers only at their designated parking zones.
- Complimentary Parking: Commercial vehicles will receive 10 minutes of complimentary parking in these designated zones to facilitate seamless pick-up.
- Designated Zones:
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- Terminal 1: Commercial vehicles must proceed to the P4 and P3 parking zones.
- Terminal 2: Commercial vehicles must proceed to the P2 parking zone.
BIAL emphasizes that this lane segregation system is crucial for enforcing discipline and preventing misuse of the arrival lanes, which handle approximately 100,000 vehicles daily.
A Call for Discipline
Hari Marar, MD & CEO of BIAL, stated that maintaining discipline is essential to protect travellers, ensure orderly movement, and strengthen trust in the system, especially as passenger traffic continues to rise during the travel season.
Travellers and cab operators are strongly encouraged to use only designated pick-up points and authorized aggregators (such as Airport Taxi, Uber, Ola, Quick Ride, OHM electric cabs, and WTI cabs) to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. This initiative is part of the airport's broader goal to enhance the overall passenger experience.
