Bengaluru airport introduces Special Assistance Zone at Terminal 1

Updated - September 15, 2026 07:22 pm IST - Bengaluru

The zone, located before security screening and accessible through Priority Gate 5A, brings check-in, baggage assistance and waiting facilities together in one space. | Photo Credit: File photo

Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has introduced a Special Assistance Zone at Terminal 1 to provide dedicated support to passengers requiring additional assistance during their airport journey.

The facility caters to Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM), Persons with Disabilities (PwD), senior citizens, pregnant women, unaccompanied minors, and other passengers requiring special assistance.

According to a release, the zone, located before security screening and accessible through Priority Gate 5A, brings check-in, baggage assistance and waiting facilities together in one space. It has two dedicated assistance desks staffed by airline partners and is designed to facilitate wheelchair users.

Once passengers arrive at the assistance desk, airport staff collect their baggage and transport it to the baggage belt, eliminating the need for them to independently navigate the baggage-drop process.

The facility has 20 accessible seats equipped with charging points, while additional seating is available outside for accompanying family members and caregivers. Flight Information Display System (FIDS) screens provide passengers with updates on their flights while they wait.

“For us, accessibility is fundamentally about understanding the different needs of our passengers and designing the airport experience around them,” a BIAL spokesperson said.

The Special Assistance Zone is part of Bengaluru Airport’s broader accessibility initiatives, which include Mobility Assist, a sensory room for neurodivergent passengers, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard programme, accessibility-focused staff training, and digital tools such as the Social Story feature, the release said.

Published - September 15, 2026 07:21 pm IST

Terms & conditions | Institutional Subscriber

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.