Airports are usually judged by how fast they move you along, from shorter queues and faster security to shinier lounges. But Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has quietly redefined what matters: how it treats the passengers who can’t move as quickly, or who need something extra to feel safe, calm, or simply seen.
Bengaluru Airport Gets Awarded Level 2 Accessibility Accreditation
That shift in perspective is why the Bangalore Airport has just become the first airport in India to be awarded Level 2 Accessibility Accreditation by Airports Council International (ACI), under its Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation (AEA) programme. Only a handful of airports worldwide hold this distinction.
This recognition isn’t about installing a few ramps and calling it a day. ACI audits whether accessibility is built into everything, from policies and infrastructure to training. It is even fitted into the mindset that staff carry into their interactions with travellers with reduced mobility (PRMs) or persons with disabilities (PwDs).
At Bengaluru Airport, there’s a dedicated accessibility committee that pushes these efforts forward. There’s investment in continuous upgrades, not one-time fixes.
Initiatives That Made Bengaluru Airport A Global Accessibility Leader
1. Sunflower Lanyard Scheme
Back in late 2022, KIA became the first in India to adopt the sunflower lanyard. The idea is simple: travellers with hidden conditions like autism, anxiety, dementia, or chronic illness wear the lanyard, and staff instantly know to offer patience or quiet assistance, without the awkward ritual of explaining yourself again and again.
2. Sensory Room
Tucked near the 080 International Lounge in Terminal 2 is a space that looks more like a therapy centre than an airport waiting area. With low lights, textured walls, and a white-noise machine humming in the corner, it’s designed for neurodivergent flyers who find airports overwhelming. For some, it’s the difference between travelling with dread and actually enjoying the journey.
3. Dedicated Accessibility Committee
This isn’t a token group that meets once a year! The committee includes different stakeholders who monitor, audit, and tweak accessibility features on an ongoing basis.
4. Partnerships At The Bengaluru Airport
KIA didn’t build its accessibility programme in isolation. It worked with groups like EnAble India and Incluzza, experts who brought lived experience to the table. From training staff to designing the sensory room, these collaborations kept the airport honest and inclusive.
5. The Ball Pool Inside The Sensory Room
Yes, a ball pool in an international airport! It may sound playful, but for autistic travellers and children with sensory sensitivities, it’s grounding and soothing. It’s more about regulation, comfort, and turning an alienating space into one that actually feels safe.
The award from ACI is nice, but let’s be honest, the real win is cultural. Bengaluru Airport has shown that accessibility is a way of rethinking the entire journey.
Also Read: Japanese Vlogger Calls Bengaluru Airport ‘One Of The Most Beautiful’; Compares It To A 5-Star Hotel
For a traveller in a wheelchair, that might mean getting to the gate without bumping into obstacles that shouldn’t have been there in the first place. For someone wearing the sunflower lanyard, it means not having to summon the courage to explain their condition to a stranger yet again.
For a parent with a neurodivergent child, it means having a space where their kid can decompress before a long flight. These are not just small comforts; they represent dignity, and that is what matters most.
Cover Image Courtesy: blrairport/Instagram and kempegowdainternationalairport/Website
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