BENGALURU, India — October 21, 2026 — Kempegowda International Airport is down to a single runway today. The south parallel runway closed on October 21 for maintenance and is due back at 2:00 p.m. on October 22, while taxiway construction is also trimming hourly capacity.
What happened
- Runway closed: The south parallel runway is closed for maintenance on October 21. It is not expected to be available until 2:00 p.m. local time on October 22.
- Single-runway operations: All flights are using the remaining runway while the work is under way.
- Taxiway work cuts capacity: Construction on the Western Crosswise taxiway reduces the airport’s capacity from 44–46 to about 37 aircraft movements per hour. Several other taxiways are also closed.
- Delays: Delays of 20 to 40 minutes are possible, especially in the early-morning and late-night peaks, with slower landings and pushbacks.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airport | Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Bengaluru |
| Runway closure | South parallel runway, October 21 until 2:00 p.m. October 22 |
| Taxiway works | Western Crosswise taxiway and several others; end date TBA |
| Capacity | About 37 movements per hour, down from 44–46 |
| Expected delays | 20–40 minutes, worst in early-morning and late-night peaks |
| Airlines affected | All carriers at BLR |
The local report advises domestic passengers to arrive at least two hours before departure and international passengers at least three hours, plus an extra 30–45 minutes for queues and security. It also reminds travelers that Terminals 1 and 2 are separate buildings, so check which one your flight uses.
What it means for non-revs
- Tight connections are at risk. If you are connecting through Bengaluru before 2:00 p.m. on October 22, a 20–40 minute delay can easily break a short connection. Build in more time or pick a later onward flight.
- Delays can bunch flights up. Late-running departures may leave several flights boarding close together, so stay near the gate and watch for gate or time changes.
- Arrive early. Follow the two-hour domestic and three-hour international guidance, plus extra time for security queues.
- Know your terminal. T1 and T2 are separate, and a wrong-terminal mistake on a single-runway day leaves little room to recover.
- Capacity stays reduced after the runway reopens. The taxiway work has no published end date, so modest delays may continue after October 22.
Sources
- GoodReturns Malayalam, “ബെംഗളൂരു വിമാനത്താവളത്തിൽ റൺവേ അടച്ചു; വിമാനങ്ങൾ വൈകാൻ സാധ്യത, യാത്രക്കാർ അറിയേണ്ടതെല്ലാം” (Bengaluru airport runway closed; flights may be delayed, what passengers need to know), https://malayalam.goodreturns.in/news/bengaluru-airport-runway-closure-flight-delays-travel-tips-2026-011-42411.html
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