Bengaluru's second airport may take shape by 2033 as site survey expands

Bengaluru could gain a second commercial airport by 2033, with the Karnataka government expanding its search for a suitable site to support the city's growing aviation demand.

According to Travel and Leisure Asia, the state government has initiated technical assessments of multiple locations for the proposed airport, which is expected to provide an additional air gateway for one of India's fastest-growing metropolitan regions.

The final location has not yet been selected, with authorities continuing to evaluate potential sites before moving the project to the next stage.

More locations added for evaluation

The proposed airport is expected to require approximately 3,500 acres of land.

According to the report, the government has instructed officials to minimise displacement of residents while keeping land acquisition costs under control during the site selection process.

On 8 July 2026, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar chaired a meeting and directed the Infrastructure Development Department (IDD) to examine Harohalli as an additional location for the project.

Harohalli now joins the list of locations under consideration, which includes:

• Nelamangala
• Somanahalli
• Chudahalli
• Harohalli

Technical study to guide final decision

According to The Economic Times, cited by Travel and Leisure Asia, the government has not finalised the airport site.

The next steps include:

• Completion of a detailed technical feasibility report by September 2026
• Selection of the final project location based on the study
• Submission of the proposal to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for consideration

The technical assessment will help determine the most suitable location based on infrastructure, connectivity and land availability.

Rising passenger demand drives expansion

Kempegowda International Airport is currently Bengaluru's only commercial airport.

According to the report, the airport:

• Handles more than 40 million passengers annually
• Operates two passenger terminals
• Covers an area of approximately 3,900 acres

The continued growth in passenger traffic has prompted the state government to explore the development of a second airport to improve connectivity and ease future capacity constraints.

Long-term aviation capacity in focus

The proposed airport remains in the planning phase, with site selection and technical studies still underway.

If approvals progress as planned, Bengaluru will join other major Indian metropolitan regions with multiple commercial airports, providing additional capacity to support long-term passenger growth and regional connectivity.