Bengaluru: Passengers flying out of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) are unlikely to face major disruptions as Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) Thursday began the second phase of building a new elevated western crossfield taxiway. While the nearly four-month project will temporarily alter aircraft movement on the ground and reduce runway capacity under certain conditions, airport officials said flight operations are expected to remain largely unaffected.The infrastructure upgrade, outlined in an Airports Authority of India (AAI) information supplement, is being executed in five phases and is scheduled for completion by Nov 5. In July alone, phases 2A, 2D and 2E are being taken up.Though passengers are unlikely to notice any significant impact, pilots will have to navigate a modified taxiway layout during the construction period. The work will temporarily change how aircraft taxi for take-off and exit the runway after landing.During phase 2A, from July 9 to Aug 22, portions of Taxiway A will remain closed. If airport operations have to be shifted to a single runway (27R) during this period, hourly Air Traffic Movements will reduce from the usual 44-46 to 37. One rapid exit taxiway will also remain closed while new pavement is laid alongside the runway.Phase 2D, which runs concurrently until July 16, will further restrict the number of available taxiways, requiring departing aircraft to use fewer runway entry points. This will be followed by Phase 2E, the longest phase of the project, from July 17 to Nov 5, involving minor rolling closures of taxiways.Despite the temporary restrictions, BIAL officials said the airport’s dual-runway operations would help minimise the impact. Once completed, the elevated western crossfield taxiway is expected to improve operational efficiency by enabling smoother aircraft movement, reducing taxiing time, and enhancing the airport’s ability to handle wide-body jets.
