Bengaluru: Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is set to become the first airport in India to introduce a Point Merge System (PMS) for air traffic management, a move aimed at improving aircraft sequencing and preparing for a sharp rise in passenger traffic by 2035.

According to airport authorities, trials of the new system will begin on September 3 and continue for three months until December 2.

New technology to improve air traffic flow

The Point Merge System is a structured arrival management technology that uses pre-defined flight paths to organise aircraft approaching the airport. It allows air traffic controllers to position aircraft at different points based on their speed, location and the required spacing between arrivals before guiding them towards the runway.

Officials said the technology will give controllers greater flexibility in managing aircraft while maintaining safe separation during the final stages of landing.

Faster arrivals with fewer delays

Speaking about the project, G Sambath Kumar, General Manager (Air Traffic Management), Airports Authority of India at KIA, said the system would reduce dependence on individual judgement while still keeping controllers fully in charge of operations.

The technology is expected to minimise the need for aircraft to enter holding patterns or make unnecessary route deviations before landing. This could help reduce delays, lower fuel consumption, cut carbon emissions and decrease aircraft noise while making more efficient use of Bengaluru’s airspace.

Currently, only a few airports worldwide, including those in Dublin and Turkey, use the Point Merge System.

Preparing for future growth

Kempegowda International Airport currently handles around 46 aircraft movements per hour, with authorities aiming to increase this to 68 movements per hour and eventually beyond as passenger traffic grows.

Around 15 of the airport’s 40 approach controllers have already completed training on the new system, while eight more will undergo simulator-based training before the trials expand.

Officials clarified that the technology is being introduced to prepare for future growth rather than to address existing congestion.

Separately, authorities are also studying independent parallel runway operations, although no timeline has been set as additional safety measures remain under evaluation.