After Delhi, Bengaluru airport set for mixed-mode runway operations as DGCA gives green signal; capacity to rise 42%

Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) received approval from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on November 3 to introduce mixed-mode runway operations, a move expected to increase its aircraft-handling capacity by around 42 percent. With the approval, Bengaluru will become the second airport in India after Delhi to introduce this operating arrangement. The clearance follows a detailed examination of the proposal submitted by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), sources told Moneycontrol. Moneycontrol first reported the development in its July 27, 2026, article, 'Bengaluru airport to overhaul flight operations with faster take-offs, smoother landings'.

Also, read: Bengaluru airport to overhaul flight operations with faster take-offs, smoother landings The new arrangement is expected to increase the airport's approved capacity from around 60 aircraft movements per hour to 85, strengthening its ability to accommodate rising air traffic demand. "Besides increasing capacity, the new operating arrangement is expected to improve aircraft movement efficiency, reduce waiting and taxi times, lower fuel consumption and emissions, and improve airline punctuality," a source aware of the development told Moneycontrol. BIAL was unavailable to comment. How mixed-mode runway operations will work Until now, Bengaluru airport has primarily operated its two parallel runways in a segregated mode, with one runway dedicated to arrivals and the other to departures.