Bengaluru Airport is India’s first to achieve global accessibility accreditation


The Kempegowda International Airport (BLR Airport) has become the first airport in India to secure Level-2 Accreditation under Airports Council International’s (ACI) Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation (AEA) programme, its operator announced on August 28.

The recognition places Bengaluru Airport among a select group of international airports acknowledged for integrating accessibility into strategy, policy and passenger experience, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) said in a statement.

The AEA programme, regarded as the only global initiative dedicated to benchmarking and advancing accessibility in aviation, assesses airports on facilities, services and governance. It highlights continuous improvements for persons with reduced mobility and persons with disabilities.

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Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Operating Officer of BIAL, said in a statement: “We are honoured to be awarded the Level-2 Accreditation under ACI’s Airport Accessibility Enhancement programme. At BLR Airport, accessibility is not just a measure of infrastructure, but a reflection of our belief that travel should be inclusive, seamless, and experiential for every passenger.”

Bengaluru Airport has introduced several measures to support passengers with diverse needs, including the Sunflower Lanyard scheme for travellers with hidden disabilities and India’s first sensory room designed for neurodivergent passengers.

The statement added that a dedicated accessibility committee and continuous staff training reinforce these efforts, ensuring empathetic assistance and ongoing infrastructure upgrades.

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In May this year, the Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru reported its first profit since operations began, marking a financial turnaround. The announcement was made following the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) board meeting held on May 16, chaired by Shalini Rajneesh, chief secretary to the Government of Karnataka and chairperson of BIAL.

In a statement, BIAL had described the profit as a milestone, attributing the success to the airport’s strategic growth initiatives, environmental commitments, and operational efficiency.

“The meeting marked a historic milestone as Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) reported a record profit for the first time since its inception, signifying a robust financial turnaround and a testament to the airport’s strategic growth, sustainability initiatives, and operational excellence,” the statement read.





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