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Air India and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have joined forces in a landmark agreement aimed at transforming Bengaluru into a premier aviation hub for southern India, with an ambitious plan to enhance air travel connectivity in the region.
This collaboration between Air India, Tata Group airlines (AIX and Vistara), and BIAL is set to revolutionise the aviation landscape over the next five years. The key components of this strategic partnership include bolstering international connectivity, optimising operational efficiency, and elevating the passenger experience at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB or BLR airport).
One of the major highlights of this agreement is the establishment of a dedicated domestic lounge within T2 at BLR airport, catering exclusively to premium and frequent travellers of Tata Group airlines Air India and Vistara. The aim to develop this lounge is to provide more luxury and comfort for travellers passing through Bengaluru.
Moreover, Air India has inked a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Karnataka to develop comprehensive Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities at the Bengaluru airport.
This strategic move underscores Air India’s plans to strengthening its foothold in Bengaluru and expanding its global reach to meet the escalating demand for direct long-haul routes originating from Southern India.
The establishment of the MRO facilities is not just about enhancing Air India’s operations but also about driving economic growth in the region. This initiative is projected to create over 1,200 new job opportunities for highly skilled individuals, contributing significantly to the state’s employment landscape.
This strategic collaboration will see Malaysia Airlines leveraging IndiGo’s extensive network in India, enhancing its connectivity into the country. As the marketing carrier on IndiGo-operated flights, Malaysia Airlines aims to broaden its reach and offer customers seamless travel experiences. In return, IndiGo customers will gain access to a plethora of Southeast Asia destinations through Malaysia Airlines’ comprehensive network, facilitating easier travel planning and exploration.
Campbell Wilson, Managing Director and CEO, Air India, expressed enthusiasm about this partnership, highlighting the importance of airline-airport synergy in delivering an exceptional customer experience and ensuring operational efficiency. “Airline-airport synergy is key to elevated customer experience and efficient operations, while Bengaluru is highly attractive as an origin and destination market as well as a connecting hub. We are therefore delighted to be strengthening our relationship with BIAL with a view to developing a greater presence at the airport, expanding air connectivity as well as building a major MRO center. This partnership agreement is a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of Air India,” he said.Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO, BIAL, echoed this sentiment, affirming BLR airport’s commitment to becoming the primary international gateway in Southern and Central India. “As the busiest airport in South India, BLR Airport is dedicated to strengthening its position as the primary international gateway in Southern and Central India. Given that over half of the international outbound travellers from Bengaluru and our catchment head to Europe, North America, Australia, and the Far East, our alliance with Air India represents a substantial leap towards this goal. We aim to capture a significant share of long-haul routes from BLR Airport over the next five years,” he added.
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