Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport Plans Global Expansion After Strong 2025 Performance

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport Plans Global Expansion After Strong 2025 Performance

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 16, 2026

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru has announced plans to expand its international connectivity, add capacity, and deepen airline partnerships in 2026 after closing calendar year 2025 with higher passenger volumes and steady cargo growth. The airport operator said the focus will remain on scaling both passenger and cargo operations while supporting wider network expansion.

Total passenger traffic at the airport reached 43.82 million in 2025, up from 40.73 million in 2024. During the year, the airport recorded its highest-ever single-day passenger movement of 1,37,317 travellers on 23 November 2025. Aircraft movements also remained strong, with daily movements peaking at 837 in October and averaging 765 across the year.

A key development in 2025 was the airport’s shift from third to second position nationally in terms of domestic flights operated during October. International traffic showed the strongest growth, with average daily international departures increasing from 38 in 2024 to 51 in 2025. This led to a 28.7% year-on-year rise in international passenger traffic.

Over the year, the airport added five new domestic and five new international routes. Domestically, new connections included Hindon, Bidar, Jaisalmer, Silchar and Navi Mumbai. On the international front, new routes were launched to Dammam, Ho Chi Minh City, Krabi, Hanoi and Riyadh.

Commenting on the performance, Girish Nair, Chief Operating Officer, BIAL, said, “2025 was a demanding year for India’s aviation sector and BLR Airport was no exception. What distinguished the year for us was a disciplined and resilient response, maintaining operational stability, supporting our airline partners, and strengthening network connectivity. As the year progressed, we responsibly and strategically scaled both passenger and cargo operations, with a clear focus on future readiness. This growth reflects not only rising demand but also the trust and confidence airlines and travellers place in BLR Airport as the ‘New Gateway to India’, a critical hub enabling Bengaluru’s emergence as a leading global city.”

As of 31 December 2025, the airport was connected to 113 destinations, including 79 domestic and 34 international locations. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune were the top domestic destinations, while Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, London Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur emerged as the leading international routes.

Airlines continued to expand their presence at the airport through 2025. Air India Express increased operations, IndiGo added new international services, and Akasa Air launched flights to Phuket and Jeddah. VietJet and Vietnam Airlines entered the Bengaluru network, while Lufthansa, KLM, Japan Airlines and Virgin Atlantic increased frequencies on long-haul routes.

Cargo operations also posted growth during the year, with volumes reaching 520,985 metric tonnes, a 5% increase compared with 2024. The airport recorded its highest single-day cargo throughput of 2,207 metric tonnes on 7 August 2025. It is now connected to 37 cargo destinations served by 15 cargo airlines, with shipments led by agri-perishables, pharmaceuticals, auto parts, electronics and e-commerce goods.

To support this growth, additional cargo infrastructure became operational during the year, including a new domestic cargo terminal developed by Menzies Aviation and the AISATS BLR Logistics Park, which added fresh warehousing capacity.

Looking ahead to 2026, the airport operator said international traffic and cargo demand are expected to remain key growth drivers as new routes and increased frequencies are added. The planned expansion is aimed at reinforcing Kempegowda International Airport’s position as one of India’s leading aviation hubs.


InterGlobe Foundation Launches Heritage Dialogue and Opens TCIH Exhibition

InterGlobe Foundation Launches Heritage Dialogue and Opens TCIH Exhibition

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises, has introduced its first ‘Heritage Dialogue’ while also unveiling the third edition of its annual exhibition, ‘Tangible Conversations, Intangible Heritage’ (TCIH). The initiative marks an important step in encouraging conversations and collaborative efforts around cultural and heritage preservation in India.

The 10-day exhibition is being held at the Sunken Gardens in Sunder Nursery, with AKTC serving as the venue partner. Open from March 13 to March 22, 2026, between 11 am and 7 pm, the exhibition invites visitors to explore India’s living traditions through an engaging and immersive format.

This year’s theme, “Living Archives: Ritual, Performance and the City,” looks at heritage beyond traditional documentation. Instead, it presents heritage as something that continues to live through the rituals, practices, and everyday experiences of communities. By bringing together elements of tangible and intangible heritage, the exhibition highlights the Foundation’s ongoing work with communities to preserve India’s cultural legacy.

Visitors can experience the theme through a mix of photography, films, and installations that showcase three unique narratives. The first documents the Doli Yatra of Lord Rudranath in Uttarakhand, offering a closer look at the sacred pilgrimage and the devotion of the communities involved. The second focuses on Bhand Pather, the traditional folk theatre of Kashmir, presenting the history and cultural richness of this centuries-old performance tradition. The third narrative explores the idea of the city as a living archive through the ‘My City My Heritage’ initiative, showing how neighbourhood life and local communities shape the cultural identity of cities.

The exhibition also serves as the annual showcase of the InterGlobe Heritage Fellowships. This initiative supports individuals who research and document lesser-known aspects of India’s heritage. Since the fellowship began, nine fellows have been recognised for their contributions toward cultural preservation.

The day began with the ‘Heritage Dialogue’, organised by InterGlobe Foundation along with Sahapedia and IndiGoReach. The forum brought together leaders from corporate, cultural, and academic sectors to discuss ways to strengthen support for India’s built and intangible heritage. The platform is designed as a long-term initiative that encourages collaboration and investment in heritage preservation while connecting it to the broader goals of sustainable development and responsible corporate participation.

The evening continued with the formal opening of the ‘Tangible Conversations, Intangible Heritage’ exhibition at Sunder Nursery. Ms. Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson of InterGlobe Foundation, led the inauguration ceremony in the presence of cultural practitioners, institutional leaders, and heritage enthusiasts. The event concluded with a captivating Dastangoi performance at the historic Humayun’s Tomb Auditorium.

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Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, InterGlobe Foundation, said, "The ‘Tangible Conversations, Intangible Heritage’ exhibition reflects our deep commitment to protecting India’s diverse cultural legacy. This year's theme beautifully illustrates how our heritage is a living, breathing entity sustained by communities and their practices. Through the InterGlobe Heritage Fellowships and the new Heritage Dialogue, we aim to foster a deeper appreciation for our vibrant traditions and inspire collective action required to ensure they thrive for generations to come.”

For more than a decade, InterGlobe Foundation has supported several important conservation and heritage initiatives through its partners. These include the conservation and cultural revival of Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khanan’s mausoleum in Delhi, the cultural mapping and documentation of eighteen cities through the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign, the restoration of the Indra Kund stepwell in Delwara, the tile restoration of Qutb Shah’s Mausoleum, and the InterGlobe Heritage Fellowships.


Calvin Klein Signs at Migsun Mall Ghaziabad and the Fashion Mix Just Got a Lot More Interesting

Calvin Klein Signs at Migsun Mall Ghaziabad and the Fashion Mix Just Got a Lot More Interesting

By Hariharan U

Published on March 17, 2026

Migsun Mall in Ghaziabad just added a name to its retail roster that signals exactly where the mall is headed. Calvin Klein has signed a leasing agreement for a 1,114 sq ft space at the mall, bringing one of the world's most recognised fashion brands to a retail destination that has been steadily building its premium appeal.

Calvin Klein's identity, clean aesthetics, modern sensibility, and a design philosophy that has built a global following, fits naturally into what Migsun Mall has been trying to create. The brand speaks directly to urban consumers who value minimalism, quality, and globally relevant fashion, which is exactly the kind of audience the mall is positioning itself to attract.

Rajeev Srivastava, Leasing Head at Migsun Group, put the signing in context. "Retail today is as much about brand alignment as it is about physical space. Calvin Klein represents a global design philosophy that speaks to modern consumers, and we're pleased to have the brand join Migsun Mall. Our approach has been to create a retail ecosystem that feels relevant, uncluttered and experience-oriented rather than purely transactional. Each new signing is evaluated not just on brand strength, but on how well it contributes to the overall shopping journey. Calvin Klein adds a distinct, contemporary dimension to our fashion mix and strengthens the mall's positioning as a destination for refined, modern retail."

The signing also reflects a broader trend playing out across India's organised retail sector. Brands are becoming increasingly selective about the locations they choose, favouring destinations that offer strong footfall potential, a cohesive brand environment, and a shopping experience that feels curated rather than crowded. Migsun Mall's approach of evaluating brands not just on name recognition but on how well they contribute to the overall experience speaks to this shift.

For Ghaziabad, the arrival of Calvin Klein at Migsun Mall is a notable moment, adding a brand with genuine global weight to a retail market that continues to grow in both scale and ambition.


Rajnigandha Achievers Win Aditya Birla Memorial Polo Cup Finals 2026 at Jaipur Polo Ground

Rajnigandha Achievers Win Aditya Birla Memorial Polo Cup Finals 2026 at Jaipur Polo Ground

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

The Aditya Birla Memorial Polo Cup Finals 2026 concluded on an exciting note at the Jaipur Polo Ground, with Rajnigandha Achievers emerging as the champions after a strong performance against Thunderbolts.

The prestigious event was attended by Hon'ble Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who joined as the Chief Guest. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, was also present at the finals, adding to the significance of the occasion.

Several notable dignitaries attended the event, including Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director of Grasim Industries; Sanjay Seth, Member of Rajya Sabha; Naveen Jindal, Member of the Lok Sabha and Chairman of Jindal Steel, who also serves as the Captain of the Jindal Panther Polo Team; and Askaran K. Agarwala, Group Advisor, Birla Group Trusts & Special Community Projects.

The final match saw an engaging contest between Thunderbolts and Rajnigandha Achievers. The Thunderbolts team featured Sipahi Mukesh Gujar, Lt Col Vishal Chauhan, Major Mritunjay Chauhan (MS Chauhan), and Simran Singh Shergil. Rajnigandha Achievers fielded Aryaman Singh, a 14-year-old player with 19 tournament wins, along with Syed Shamsheer Ali, Dhruv Pal Godara, and Captain Daniel.

The match was played over four chukkas of 7.5 minutes each and was officiated by professional umpires from the Kingdom. Demonstrating consistent teamwork and control throughout the game, Rajnigandha Achievers secured a convincing 9–5 victory to lift the Aditya Birla Polo Cup 2026 title.

The final match not only showcased competitive polo but also highlighted the sport’s growing prominence in India, bringing together players, dignitaries, and enthusiasts for a memorable sporting evening at the Jaipur Polo Ground.

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