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.

"Under the existing arrangement, when the airport operates in Runway 27 configuration, departures use Runway 27R while arrivals land on Runway 27L. In Runway 09 configuration, arrivals use Runway 09L and departures operate from Runway 09R," a source said. Mixed-mode operations will allow both runways to be used more flexibly for arrivals and departures, subject to safety requirements, traffic conditions and air traffic control clearances. The arrangement will facilitate staggered arrivals on both parallel runways and allow parallel departures from both, wherever operationally permitted. This will give air traffic controllers greater flexibility in sequencing aircraft and optimising runway utilisation.

Aircraft-handling capacity to rise 42% Bengaluru airport's existing approved capacity is approximately 60 aircraft movements per hour, comprising 30 arrivals and 30 departures. With mixed-mode operations, this is expected to increase to around 85 movements per hour. At this capacity, the airport could potentially handle more than 1,500 aircraft movements daily, depending on traffic demand, operating schedules and prevailing conditions. The additional capacity will help airlines accommodate more flights, improve schedule resilience and support Bengaluru's growth as a domestic and international aviation hub.

Fuel savings and improved punctuality More efficient runway utilisation and aircraft sequencing are expected to reduce airborne holding, departure queues and aircraft waiting times. This could translate into lower fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. "For airlines, the arrangement could mean more predictable turnaround times, better aircraft utilisation and improved schedule adherence. Passengers could also benefit from reduced waiting times before take-off and after landing," the source said. However, actual improvements will depend on weather, airspace restrictions, traffic volumes, aircraft types and ground-handling capacity.