Bangalore Bengaluru International Airport (BLR)
History, Facts and Overview

(Bangalore, India)

Bangalore's airport was originally established in the mid-1960s to be used for military purposes and defence. However, in the 1980s it was decided to expand the facilities and begin offering a selection of domestic flights, which quickly proved popular.

In the late 1990s, the airport began providing its very first international services and became known as the Bangalore HAL International Airport (BLR). Although passenger traffic remains high, the future of HAL Airport is currently rather unsure, since the new Bangalore International Airport is being built nearby in Devanahalli and is due to open in April 2008. This new airport will be capable of serving over ten million passengers each year.


A wide variety of restaurants and eateries are available to passengers at Bangalore HAL Airport, including a traditional pub. There is a reasonable selection of retail shops in both terminals. Desert Books, Talking Hands and Newswatch are several of the many shops with outlets at the airport. An ATM machine is situated directly across from the airport main entrance, with other facilities including an AAI / CIP Lounge area, an air insurance desk, large flight information boards and a tourism counter operated by the Government of Tarnataka.

Visitors to Bangalore's airport should make time to visit the outstanding HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum, which is located onsite and a great family attraction. With aircraft simulators, films, exhibits, a library, historic photographs, a space vehicle, detailed models and the chance to sit in actual cockpits, this attraction is easy to find, being adjacent to the prominent HAL Convention Centre.