Bengaluru Airport Opens a Dedicated Special Assistance Zone at Terminal 1

Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) in Bengaluru has opened a dedicated Special Assistance Zone at Terminal 1, announced on 16 September 2026, bringing check-in support, baggage assistance and waiting facilities for passengers who need extra help into a single space ahead of security screening. The zone sits before the security check and is accessed through Priority Gate 5A.

Who it is for

The zone is designed for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD), senior citizens, pregnant travellers, unaccompanied minors and other passengers who need extra support, groups that airports have typically routed through separate, often scattered, assistance counters. Consolidating that support into one pre-security zone is intended to simplify what has often been a fragmented process across check-in counters and boarding gates.

What is inside

The zone has two dedicated assistance desks staffed by airline partners, wheelchair-friendly check-in counters, baggage collection and transport handled by staff, twenty accessible seats fitted with charging points, additional seating for accompanying family members or caretakers, and flight information display screens, so passengers using the zone can track their flight without moving elsewhere in the terminal.

Part of a wider accessibility push

A spokesperson for Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates BLR, was quoted saying the new zone reflects that "accessibility is fundamentally about understanding the different needs of our passengers and designing the airport experience around them." The airport has also been reported to hold an Airports Council International Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation at its highest tier, reportedly making it the first in India to reach that level, though travellers with specific accessibility needs should confirm current facilities and procedures directly with their airline or with BLR before travelling.

Traveller tips

• Passengers needing special assistance should still request it through their airline at the time of booking or at least 48 hours before travel; the new zone supports that process rather than replacing it.
• Priority Gate 5A at Terminal 1 is the access point for the zone; check current terminal signage on arrival, since gate numbering can change.
• International and domestic special-assistance procedures can differ, so confirm requirements with your specific airline ahead of travel.
• This is a newly opened facility; confirm hours and exact services with BLR's official channels closer to your travel date.