Bengaluru: The recently introduced pickup rules at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), particularly at Terminal 1 (T1), have triggered widespread dissatisfaction among passengers and cab drivers, with complaints ranging from inconvenience and accessibility issues to higher travel costs. As resistance grows, a city resident has launched an online petition urging Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) to roll back the changes and restore the earlier, more accessible pickup arrangements.

Petition seeks rollback of new pickup system

The online petition has been initiated by Hareesh Amjuri, a marketing professional and resident of Hosa Road, who launched the campaign on Change.org earlier this week. While the petition is still in its early stages and yet to gather large-scale support, it has resonated with many passengers who have faced similar difficulties since the new rules came into effect.

Amjuri said the new pickup system appears poorly planned and fails to take into account the needs of elderly passengers, families with children, pregnant women and people with disabilities. “The rules may look efficient on paper, but the experience on the ground tells a very different story,” he said, adding that convenience and accessibility should be at the core of airport design.

Passenger recounts personal experience

Amjuri’s concerns stem from his recent travel experience. After arriving from Andhra Pradesh last week, he found himself unable to locate his taxi at the usual pickup point near the arrivals area. His driver informed him that the vehicle was waiting at P4, a designated parking zone introduced under the new pickup rules.

“I couldn’t find P4 on any of the pickup lane numbers. Only later did I realise that the driver was in the parking zone,” he said. The walk to the designated area, estimated to be around 700 metres, proved exhausting, especially for passengers carrying luggage after a long journey.

He said the experience made him worry about his parents, who are scheduled to visit Bengaluru soon. “My father is a Parkinson’s patient. Expecting senior citizens or those with health issues to walk such long distances with luggage is unreasonable,” he said.

Concerns over accessibility and messaging

Amjuri also questioned BIAL’s public messaging around the changes. He expressed disappointment over posts on the airport’s official social media handles suggesting that 95 per cent of passengers were comfortable with the new system.

“That claim simply does not reflect reality. What I saw were people of all ages struggling—elderly travellers, children barely managing their bags, and pregnant women exerting unnecessary effort,” he said.

The petition urges airport authorities to reinstate the earlier pickup points closer to the arrivals area, stating that the previous arrangement was far more inclusive and passenger-friendly. It calls for an urgent review of the rules to ensure that airport infrastructure caters to all users, not just able-bodied travellers.

Similar complaints from other passengers

Several passengers have echoed similar concerns on social media and in conversations, pointing out that the pickup arrangements at P4 are not being managed efficiently. Many have complained about confusion, lack of clear signage and insufficient staff to guide passengers.

Seema Kothari, a passenger travelling from Delhi, highlighted disparities in how different transport services are treated. She noted that premium services such as Uber Black have been allocated pickup points closer to the terminal, while regular cab aggregators and buses are located much farther away.

“This may be the aggregator’s decision based on what they are willing to pay, but the end result is that customers are forced to spend more,” she said. According to her, booking a cab at the airport can be nearly 50 per cent more expensive than usual, pushing passengers towards costlier options simply to avoid the long walk.

Impact on cab drivers and protests

Cab drivers, too, have voiced strong opposition to the new rules, arguing that the system increases waiting time, reduces trip efficiency and leads to frequent disputes with passengers. Several driver unions have reportedly held discussions with airport authorities and are considering further protests if their concerns are not addressed.

Drivers say they are often blamed by passengers for delays and confusion, even though they are required to follow the designated pickup locations assigned under the new system. The tension has added to the growing discontent surrounding the changes.

BIAL stands by the new system

Despite the criticism, BIAL has defended the new pickup rules, stating that the system aligns with global best practices followed at leading international airports. The new rules were introduced at Terminal 2 on December 11 and extended to Terminal 1 on December 13.

In a statement issued last week, a BIAL spokesperson said the airport operator would closely monitor the implementation of the new pickup system over the next 30 days to ensure it stabilises. Any refinements, the statement added, would be based on operational feedback and passenger experience.

Balancing efficiency with inclusivity

Aviation and urban mobility experts note that while airports worldwide are redesigning pickup and drop-off systems to reduce congestion, such changes must be balanced with accessibility and user comfort. Long walking distances, they say, can undermine the passenger experience, especially in a country where a large proportion of travellers may be elderly or travelling with families.

Conclusion: As passenger complaints, petitions and driver protests continue to mount, pressure is growing on BIAL to reconsider or modify the new pickup rules at Kempegowda International Airport. Whether the 30-day review leads to meaningful changes will be closely watched, as travellers seek a system that prioritises not just efficiency, but also accessibility, affordability and convenience.