Vancouver and Bengaluru airports sign sister airport agreement

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR) in southern India signed a sister airport agreement on Oct. 16, 2026, alongside Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu. The agreement is intended to strengthen operational, technological, economic and air service links between western Canada and southern India. Senior representatives from both airports and Sidhu attended an event at BLR Airport’s Terminal 2.

The memorandum of understanding sets out seven areas for collaboration, including using technology to support more efficient airport operations. Work could include YVR’s Digital Twin, emerging tools and innovation pilot projects that the teams may develop or trial together. The agreement also outlines efforts to increase air cargo flows between Canada and southern India, particularly to support growing sectors such as technology. Its longer-term goal is direct air service between YVR and BLR.

Albert van Veen, YVR’s vice-president of innovation and chief information officer, said the agreement reflects the growing importance of the Canada–India corridor and the need for closer collaboration across aviation to support passengers, cargo and trade. He said the airports will explore ways to improve the passenger journey while strengthening operational efficiency and resilience, and to support continued travel and trade growth between the countries.

Two-way trade between Canada and India was valued at more than $10.9 billion in 2025. Both governments are working to increase trade considerably in the coming years. British Columbia is home to one of the world’s largest Indian diasporas, with nearly 500,000 people—close to 10 per cent of the province’s population. Bengaluru, meanwhile, has grown considerably, with a rapidly expanding technology sector and more business-to-business connections with western Canada and the western United States.

Girish Nair, chief operating officer of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), said the partnership provides a framework for technology integration and operational improvement informed by global best practices. The airports will focus on developing digital platforms, data-driven decision-making and process optimization, drawing on Vancouver’s role as an international gateway and Bengaluru’s position as one of India’s dynamic aviation hubs. Teams will also exchange established approaches to smart airport technology, sustainable operations and terminal performance management, with the stated aims of improving efficiency, resilience and the passenger experience.

Sidhu said Canada is moving quickly to diversify its trade relationships, including with India, and that trade corridors are producing results. He cited a 7.4 per cent increase in YVR air cargo volumes in 2025. He said the agreement lays the groundwork for direct air service to one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, bringing the prospect of more trade, investment and people-to-people ties.

Jeff Nankivell, president and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, called the agreement a significant step in deepening economic connections between western Canada and southern India and creating a new path for technology and innovation collaboration. He described it as an important first step towards direct air connectivity between the two growing trade and transport hubs, which together handled more than 885,000 metric tonnes of cargo and welcomed 71 million passengers last year. He said the agreement promises significant economic benefits for Canada and India in the years ahead.

Victor Thomas, president and CEO of the Canada India Business Council, said strategic connectivity is essential for business leaders amid accelerating change. He said linking two world-class innovation hubs through YVR and BLR will strengthen Canada–India business ties and unlock economic opportunities.

YVR had a record year in 2025, with 26.9 million passengers and 365,000 tonnes of cargo, up 7.4 per cent from 2024. The airport expects to surpass those figures in 2026 as passenger traffic continues to rise and cargo volumes grow by double digits. It attributed its performance to strong operations and customer service combined with internationally recognized innovation. Skytrax recently named YVR the Best Airport in North America for a record 15th time and placed it among the world’s top 10 airports. YVR has also committed to doubling air cargo volumes over the next five years to diversify trade and connect more Canadian goods with global markets.

BLR also reported a strong 2025, serving 44.47 million passengers, including a 23.9 per cent increase in international passengers. It handled 532,000 tonnes of cargo, up 6 per cent year over year, and is India’s leading gateway for perishable exports. BLR’s Terminal 2 is the first and only airport terminal in India to receive Skytrax’s 5-Star Airport Terminal Rating.

About YVR: Vancouver International Airport describes itself as a global hub connecting people, cargo, data and ideas, and as a platform for the community to come together and thrive. It says its work supports regional economic development and the lives of British Columbians, with a focus on passengers, partners, workers and the community through digital modernization, climate leadership, reconciliation and financial sustainability.

About BLR: Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru is operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited. The airport says it closed fiscal year 2025–26 with strong performance across key measures, served more than 44 million passengers in the last financial year and surpassed 400 million cumulative passengers since opening in May 2008. It is among a small number of airports worldwide to hold the Airports Council International (ACI) 5-Star Airport Rating for Customer Experience. Its growth is supported by majority private promoter Fairfax India Holdings Corporation, which has invested significantly in the airport’s development and transformation.