Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has become the first airport in India to receive Level-2 Accreditation under the Airports Council International (ACI)’s Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation (AEA) programme, according to a statement issued by airport authorities on Thursday.

This achievement places Bengaluru Airport among a select group of global airports recognised for integrating accessibility into their core strategy, policy, and passenger experience, said Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), the operator of KIA.

The AEA programme is the world’s only dedicated benchmarking initiative aimed at improving accessibility within aviation. It evaluates airports based on facilities, services, and governance, with a focus on continual improvement for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRMs) and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Operating Officer at BIAL, said, “We are honoured to be awarded the Level-2 Accreditation under ACI’s Airport Accessibility Enhancement programme. At BLR Airport, accessibility is more than just infrastructure—it represents our belief that travel should be inclusive, seamless, and enriching for every passenger.”

Bengaluru Airport has already implemented several inclusive initiatives, such as the Sunflower Lanyard scheme for passengers with hidden disabilities and India’s first dedicated sensory room for neurodivergent travellers. The airport also operates a dedicated accessibility committee and provides continuous staff training, ensuring that infrastructure upgrades are matched with empathetic passenger support.