Bengaluru Airport Embraces Kannada for Enhanced Inclusivity and Accessibility

Bengaluru Airport Embraces Kannada for Enhanced Inclusivity and Accessibility

In a significant move towards linguistic inclusivity, Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has introduced a Kannada language option on its website. This initiative aims to make travel more accessible for Kannada-speaking passengers and reinforce the cultural identity of Karnataka within the airport ecosystem.

A Major Step for Local Language Integration

The inclusion of Kannada on the airport website is a milestone in ensuring that Karnataka's native language is given prominence in public infrastructure. The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates KIA, emphasized that this move is part of a broader commitment to making airport services easily accessible to all travellers.

Hari Marar, Managing Director & CEO of BIAL, stated in a press release, “We are pleased to introduce a Kannada version of our website that aims to create a more inclusive and accessible experience, ensuring our customers access all necessary information in their preferred language.”

This initiative not only enhances the user experience for domestic travellers but also ensures that those who are more comfortable with Kannada can navigate airport services without language barriers.

Kannada Features on the KIA Website

With the new language feature, the KIA website will provide:

• Real-time flight information in Kannada, offering updates on departures, arrivals, and delays.

• Comprehensive FAQs in Kannada, addressing common passenger queries and simplifying the travel process.

• Navigation support, ensuring visitors can access terminal maps, check-in guidelines, baggage policies, and other essential services in Kannada.

This initiative caters to a large segment of passengers who may not be proficient in English or Hindi, making air travel a more seamless experience for them.

Beyond the Website: A Multilingual Approach at KIA

BIAL has been progressively incorporating Kannada into various aspects of airport operations to ensure linguistic inclusivity. This includes:

• Multilingual signage across the airport premises.

• Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS) in Kannada, making it easier for passengers to track their flights.

• Public announcement systems in Kannada, ensuring crucial information is relayed effectively.

• Kannada signboards for shops and outlets, enhancing visibility for local businesses.

• Social media communication in Kannada, strengthening the airport’s digital outreach.

• Staff assistance in Kannada, ensuring travellers can seek help in their native language.

This extensive integration ensures that passengers experience Karnataka’s rich linguistic and cultural identity from the moment they enter the airport.

Why This Initiative Matters

Karnataka has a rich linguistic heritage, and Bengaluru, as the capital city, has a diverse demographic. While the city has a large cosmopolitan population, Kannada remains the primary language for a significant number of residents and visitors from different parts of the state. By prioritizing Kannada, KIA is:

• Enhancing accessibility for local travellers, many of whom prefer information in their native language.

• Preserving Karnataka’s cultural identity, ensuring that the language remains an integral part of public spaces.

• Setting a precedent for other public and private institutions, encouraging them to adopt similar inclusive practices.

Public Reception and Future Expectations

The move has been widely appreciated by Kannada-speaking passengers and language activists who have long demanded increased representation of the local language in Bengaluru’s infrastructure. Social media users have praised BIAL for making an effort to prioritize Kannada, urging other government and private institutions to follow suit.

Looking ahead, passengers and language advocates hope for:

• Greater Kannada integration in airline communication, including announcements on flights departing from and arriving in Bengaluru.

• Kannada-enabled self-check-in kiosks, further simplifying the airport experience.

• Expansion of Kannada services to other major transport hubs, such as railway stations and bus terminals.

Conclusion

The introduction of Kannada on the Bengaluru airport website is more than just a technical update—it is a significant step toward inclusivity, accessibility, and cultural preservation. As Bengaluru continues to evolve as a global city, such initiatives ensure that the local language and identity remain at the heart of its growth.

BIAL’s commitment to linguistic inclusivity serves as an inspiring model for other public and private institutions, highlighting the importance of embracing regional languages to create a more inclusive society.