The Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has added seven new routes, including a direct flight to Phuket as part of its winter schedule which starts from Sunday. The other new destinations added are Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Aizawl, and Kolhapur. This five-month schedule will be in effect until March 30, 2019. This calendar will also see two new airlines— Turkish Cargo and Air India Express - debut in Bengaluru.
“Phuket is the new international destination, with Go Air offering a direct connection to the southern Thai province. With this, Bengaluru will now connect to 82 destinations – 53 domestic and 29 international,” the airport said in a statement.
The average international (air traffic movements)l ATMs for winter 2018-19 is expected to grow at 17% over summer 2018, while domestic movements are expected to achieve a growth of 10%. The overall growth forecast for the forthcoming schedule is pegged at 11%.
The airport also said that three airlines— Indigo, Air India and Go Air — will launch additional flights from Bengaluru to eight existing international destinations. Indigo will operate daily flights to Male, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Kathmandu; Air India will fly to Bangkok and London; Go Air will operate to Male. Air India Express will launch a round-trip flight to Singapore – flying four times a week – from October 29.
In August, a study by RoutesOnline pegged the Bengaluru airport to be the second fastest growing airport in the world.
“Resurgent growth translates into the need for new routes and the addition of aircraft to the existing base. We will continue to work with our airline partners to offer passengers attractive routes that connect Bengaluru to some of the most exotic destinations in India and abroad,” said BIAL’s Chief Operating Officer, Javed Malik.
“Our new services will further bolster the economy of the city and enhance the reputation of Bengaluru Airport as the gateway to a New India," Malik added.