On January 1, 2025, a significant disruption occurred at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, specifically at the newly developed Terminal 2. A water pipe burst around 7:30 pm, causing a major leak that flooded the first floor of the terminal, where several airline offices are located. This was a severe inconvenience to both airport personnel and airline staff, as the damage caused by the leak affected critical areas of operation.
The burst pipe released water from the ceiling, rapidly spreading across the first floor. This part of Terminal 2 houses the offices of major airlines, including Air India Express, Saudia, and Japan Airlines. The leaked water infiltrated these offices, damaging both the infrastructure and important equipment. The water caused significant damage to the ceilings and tiles of the affected areas, forcing staff to evacuate and relocate to other parts of the terminal to continue their work.
In addition to structural damage, several essential materials used by the airlines were rendered unusable. Stationary items such as baggage tags, rolls of paper, and boarding passes became soaked in the water, further complicating operations. With critical paperwork and supplies compromised, airline operations were hampered, leading to delays and confusion. The affected airlines, as well as airport staff, faced challenges as they tried to manage the situation and minimize the impact on daily operations.
While the incident took place in one of the most advanced and aesthetically designed terminals in India, it highlighted the vulnerabilities that can occur even in the most modern facilities. The leak and the subsequent flooding led to an urgent response from both the airport authorities and the airlines. Teams worked to address the immediate damage, and investigations were launched to determine the cause of the burst pipe and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Despite the inconvenience caused by the flooding, the swift relocation of staff and the efforts to salvage materials from the affected offices allowed operations to resume relatively quickly. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of infrastructure and the challenges that arise in maintaining large, complex facilities like international airports.