The Future of Air Traffic Control at Kempegowda International Airport

BENGALURU: Kempegowda International Airport’s (KIA) Air Traffic Control (ATC) is undergoing a major transformation to prepare for future air traffic growth and integrate cutting-edge technologies. The current ATC, located near Terminal 1, started operations on May 24, 2008, coinciding with the inauguration of KIA’s first flight. Managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), this crucial hub for flight operations has witnessed a significant increase in air traffic movements over the years.

“The airport manages 720 to 730 air traffic movements every day, and in order to meet the growing demands and enhance operational efficiency, plans are in place to build a new ATC tower within the airport premises,” a BIAL spokesperson informed TOI.

According to sources, the current proposal involves constructing a new tower within the airport premises and gradually transferring operations from the existing ATC to the new tower.

“Once all operations have been moved to the new tower, the current ATC will undergo a complete upgrade. The new tower will be equipped with state-of-the-art communication technology, showcasing the significant technological advancements made over the past decade,” the spokesperson added.

The refurbishment and upgrade process is estimated to cost around Rs 200 crore. The spokesperson also mentioned, “The current ATC is in good condition, with a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Regular assessments are conducted, and certifications are obtained from AAI’s safety authority.”

The construction and setup of the new ATC could take anywhere from six months to a year. However, the BIAL spokesperson noted that the proposed ATC is in the preliminary stages and refrained from providing further details.