Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has been honoured with the Diamond Award, the highest recognition at the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East Safety Recognition Awards 2026.
The award recognises airports that demonstrate outstanding commitment to safety management, operational excellence and innovation-driven solutions.
Recognition for safety initiatives
According to Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), the operator of KIA, the award was presented in recognition of several initiatives aimed at enhancing runway safety and strengthening overall airport safety systems.
The airport’s efforts focused on proactive risk management, operational efficiency and continuous safety improvements across critical airport functions.
Innovative measures highlighted
Among the key initiatives acknowledged by the ACI were the establishment of a dedicated Runway Safety Team and the development of an in-house runway safety maturity matrix.
The airport also implemented programmes to improve pilot awareness, introduced measures to address identified runway hotspots and strengthened the management of foreign object debris in airside operational areas.
These initiatives were designed to minimise operational risks and enhance safety standards for passengers, airlines and airport personnel.
Milestone for Bengaluru airport
The recognition further strengthens KIA’s reputation as one of India’s leading airports and highlights its commitment to adopting global best practices in aviation safety.
Airport officials stated that safety remains a core priority as passenger traffic continues to grow and operational complexity increases.
The award adds to a series of achievements for Bengaluru’s airport, which has emerged as one of the country’s busiest aviation hubs and a key gateway for domestic and international travellers.