Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have signed a sister airport agreement aimed at building further operational, technological, economic, and air service connections between Western Canada and Southern India.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the two airports is focused on seven different areas of collaboration, including innovation to further support efficient airport operations through the use of technology.
This includes work around YVR’s Digital Twin as well as emerging tools and potential innovation pilot projects that could be jointly developed or trialled between the YVR and BLR teams.
The agreement also lays out efforts to further the transit of air cargo between Southern India and Canada and, particularly when it comes to supporting growing industries such as the tech sector in the two regions, as well as a goal of developing direct air service between Bengaluru and Vancouver.
“This agreement highlights the growing importance of the Canada–India corridor and the need for stronger collaboration across the aviation ecosystem to support passengers, cargo, and trade,” enthused Albert van Veen, vice president of innovation and chief information officer at Vancouver International Airport.
“The partnership between YVR and Kempegowda International Airport is a practical example of that approach in action. By working together, both airports are exploring ways to improve the passenger journey while enhancing operational efficiency and resilience, not to mention supporting continued travel and trade growth between our two countries.”
Two-way trade between Canada and India was valued at more than $10.9 billion in 2025 alone, with both governments working to grow volumes considerably in the coming years.
British Columbia is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world, comprising nearly 500,000 people and representing close to 10% of BC’s population.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru has seen considerable population growth with a rapidly growing tech sector and increasing business-to-business connections with Western Canada and the Western United States.
Girish Nair, Bangalore International Airport Limited’s chief operating officer, added.“This strategic partnership establishes a robust framework to advance technology integration and operational excellence by benchmarking against global best practices.
“By leveraging Vancouver’s standing as a premier international gateway and Bengaluru’s position as one of India’s most dynamic aviation hubs, the collaboration will focus on co-developing next-generation capabilities across digital platforms, data-driven decision-making, and process optimisation.
“Our teams will work closely to exchange proven models in smart airport technologies, sustainable operations, and terminal performance management, setting new benchmarks in efficiency, resilience, and passenger experience.
“This partnership reinforces our shared commitment to building future-ready airports that deliver consistently world-class outcomes.”
