YVR and BLR eye direct air links under new agreement

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR), along with Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, have signed a sister airport agreement to strengthen operational, technological, economic and air service links between Western Canada and Southern India.

The memorandum of understanding outlines seven areas of collaboration, including the use of technology to improve airport operations. The two airports will explore YVR’s Digital Twin technology, emerging tools and potential innovation pilot projects that could be jointly developed or trialled by the YVR and BLR teams.

The agreement also aims to facilitate air cargo flows between Canada and Southern India, supporting growing industries such as technology, with the longer-term goal of establishing direct air services between Vancouver and Bengaluru.

The agreement was announced at an event in Terminal 2 of BLR Airport, attended by senior representatives from both airports and Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu.

“This agreement highlights the growing importance of the Canada–India corridor and the need for stronger collaboration across the aviation ecosystem to support passengers, cargo, and trade. The partnership between YVR and Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru is a practical example of that approach in action,” said Albert van Veen, Vice President of Innovation and Chief Information Officer, Vancouver International Airport. “By working together, both airports are exploring ways to improve the passenger journey while enhancing operational efficiency and resilience, not to mention supporting continued travel and trade growth between our two countries.”

Two-way trade between Canada and India exceeded $10.9 billion in 2025, with both governments seeking to significantly increase trade in the coming years. British Columbia is home to nearly 500,000 people of Indian origin, accounting for close to 10% of the province’s population. Meanwhile, Bengaluru’s population and technology sector have grown considerably, strengthening business ties with Western Canada and the western United States.

“This strategic partnership establishes a robust framework to advance technology integration and operational excellence by benchmarking against global best practices. By leveraging Vancouver’s standing as a premier international gateway and Bengaluru’s position as one of India’s most dynamic aviation hubs, the collaboration will focus on co-developing next-generation capabilities across digital platforms, data-driven decision-making, and process optimisation. Our teams will work closely to exchange proven models in smart airport technologies, sustainable operations, and terminal performance management, setting new benchmarks in efficiency, resilience, and passenger experience. This partnership reinforces our shared commitment to building future-ready airports that deliver consistently world-class outcomes,” said Girish Nair, Chief Operating Officer of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).

Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, said: "As we move at speed to diversify Canada's trade relationships with partners like India, our trade corridors are seeing real results. At Vancouver International Airport, air cargo volumes grew by 7.4% in 2025, and today's agreement with Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru lays the groundwork for direct air service to one of the world's fastest-growing markets. That means more trade, more investment and stronger people-to-people ties between our countries."

Vancouver International Airport handled a record 26.9 million passengers and 365,000 tonnes of cargo in 2025, with cargo volumes increasing 7.4% year-on-year. The airport expects further growth in passenger traffic and double-digit growth in cargo volumes in 2026. Its performance has been supported by operational efficiency, customer service and innovation. YVR was recently named North America’s Best Airport by Skytrax for a record 15th time and ranked among the world’s top 10 airports. It has also committed to doubling air cargo volumes over the next five years to diversify trade and improve access to global markets for Canadian businesses.

“The announcement of a sister airport agreement between YVR and India’s BLR Airport in Bengaluru marks a significant milestone in deepening economic connections between Western Canada and Southern India, establishing a new runway for shared technological and innovative collaboration as Canada actively bolsters its engagement with the world’s most populous democracy,” said Jeff Nankivell, President & CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. “This is an important first step in establishing direct air connectivity between these two growing trade and transport hubs, which combinedly handled more than 885,000 metric tonnes of cargo and welcomed 71 million passengers last year. This new agreement promises significant economic benefits for Canada and India in the years ahead.”

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru handled 44.47 million passengers in 2025, including a 23.9% increase in international passenger traffic. The airport also handled 532,000 tonnes of cargo, up 6% year-on-year, and is India’s leading gateway for perishable exports. Its Terminal 2 is the first and only airport terminal in India to receive a 5-Star Airport Terminal Rating from Skytrax.

“In an era of accelerating change, strategic connectivity is essential for business leaders,” said Victor Thomas, President and CEO of the Canada India Business Council. “The linkage between two world-class innovation hubs through YVR and BLR will strengthen Canada–India business ties and unlock new economic opportunities.”