BENGALURU: The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is at the heart of India's aviation hub, managing more than 750 flights every day. Behind this impressive number is a team of highly skilled Air Traffic Controllers, whose expertise ensures the safe and smooth operation of one of the country’s busiest airports.
On October 20, as the world celebrates International Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) Day, KIA honours the crucial role these professionals play in keeping the skies above Bangalore safe.
Handling such a high volume of daily flights requires precision, coordination, and split-second decision-making. At BIAL, controllers work around the clock to direct air traffic, coordinating aircraft on the ground, during takeoff, and throughout their journey in the airport’s airspace. With the exponential growth of air travel in recent years, their job became more complex, but technology and experience help maintain the airport’s stellar safety record.
The air traffic control system at KIA is divided into three key functions: Tower Control, which manages aircraft on the runway and immediate airspace; Approach Control, which oversees arriving and departing flights within a certain radius of the airport; and En-route Control, responsible for aircraft flying between airports. This structure ensures a seamless flow of air traffic both at KIA and across the broader airspace, preventing delays and maintaining safety standards.
"Air Traffic Controllers at KIA face significant pressure. Managing 750 flights a day requires absolute focus and quick thinking, as any error could have serious consequences. Controllers must also work irregular hours, often during night shifts, adding to the physical and mental strain,” said a source in ATC, KIA.
Despite these challenges, controllers at KIA maintain a remarkable safety record, bolstered by the airport's adoption of cutting-edge technology.
“The airport is already implementing NextGen systems—satellite-based navigation technologies that allow more efficient flight routes and reduced delays. BIAL is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to enhance air traffic management further, though human oversight remains essential for critical decision-making,” an ATC source confirmed.
As air travel demand at KIA continues to rise, especially with plans to expand terminal capacity and add more international routes, the role of Air Traffic Controllers will become even more vital. The integration of Urban Air Mobility (UAM)—including drones and air taxis—into the airport’s airspace in the coming years presents new challenges that KIA’s Air Traffic Controllers will be at the forefront of addressing.
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