The Airports Authority of India (AAI) which manages Air Traffic Control services at all but defense airports in the country has released an AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication) supplement with information on commissioning of South Runway 09R/27L with associated infrastructure at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.

The AIP is effective 5th December. As the secondary runway gets commissioned, the existing runway 09/27 will be re-designated as 09L/27R. The PCN (Pavement Classification Number) for Runway 09L/27R is 80 while for 09R/27L is 98. Both the runways will have same TORA, TODA, ASDA, LDA.

The difference will be on the approach and runway lighting side with the existing runway having Category I Instrumentation Landing System (ILS) while the new runway 09R/27L will have Category III ILS with centerline lighting. This will enable landing and take-off during days when the airport is covered in fog, with minimum visibility requirements down to as low as 50 mtrs compared to 550 mtrs currently, for landing.

The airport will also commission 16 additional stands, including those which are capable of handling Code F aircraft (A380). This will be a major boost for the airport and the city. The airport has had two major runway closures due to issues with the runway and has struggled to keep pace with

In the recent past, the airline has seen announcements and additions of flights from Lufthansa from Munich, KLM from Amsterdam and JAL from Tokyo. The airport had undergone a major runway repair work and construction of Rapid Exit Taxiways (RETs) in 2017 which had led to increase in aircraft movements from 34 to 38. The airport currently has a capacity of 40 air traffic movements with a maximum of 27 arrivals or departures.