Bengaluru’s KIA airport takes off with record profit

NEW DELHI: Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has recorded its first profit since opening, according to a report by news agency PTI.The announcement came following a board meeting of the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) on May 16, chaired by Shalini Rajneesh, chief secretary to the Government of Karnataka. According to a press statement issued after the meeting, the profit signals a "robust financial turnaround" and reflects the airport’s strategic focus on growth, sustainability and efficient operations. Officials hailed the development as a landmark moment in the airport’s history. In a parallel achievement, the airport has also earned international recognition for its sustainability efforts. It became the first airport in Asia to secure Level 5 accreditation from the Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation programme as of May 5, 2024. The certification acknowledges a remarkable 95.6% cut in direct and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions — known as Scope 1 and 2 — and confirms the airport's net-zero status, achieved seven years ahead of its 2030 goal. The airport’s green initiatives have also earned it the Silver Award in ACI’s Green Airports Recognition 2025 under the theme “Sustainable Energy at Airports,” in the 15–38 million passenger category. This is the fourth year in a row that Bengaluru airport has received recognition for environmental leadership.