Bengaluru’s Second Airport Likely in South Zone As Hosur Competes for Regional Edge

Bengaluru may soon join Delhi and Mumbai as the only Indian cities with two international airports, with the Karnataka government reviving plans for a new airport in the city. The renewed push came at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, where Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar confirmed that the State is "actively exploring" new airport in South Bengaluru, marking the first official indication of where the next major aviation hub could rise.

The announcement came alongside Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launching the Karnataka Space Technology, IT and Startup Policy 2025-2030, signalling a broader infrastructure push to support the region's explosive growth.

South Bengaluru Leads as Government Shortlists Three Sites

Earlier this year, the State shortlisted three potential locations for the airport, with two out of the three falling in the southern corridor:

Kaggalipura (South Bengaluru)

Harohalli (South Bengaluru)

Kunigal Road (North Bengaluru)

The dominance of south-side options strengthens the likelihood that the second airport will be positioned to serve areas such as Kanakapura Road, Mysuru Road, and the upcoming industrial belts extending toward Ramanagara and Mandya.

Why the Rush? The 150-km Rule Expires in 2033

Karnataka's Infrastructure and Industries Minister M.B. Patil said the government has begun early groundwork because of a regulatory restriction:

No new international airport can be set up within 150 km of Kempegowda International Airport until 2033.

If the State waits until then to start, the airport will not be ready in time. Beginning feasibility work now allows construction to progress immediately after 2033, aligning with the typical 5-6 year timeline for major aviation projects.

Learning From Delhi and Mumbai's Dual-Airport Model

Only Delhi (IGI-Noida) and Mumbai (CSMIA-Navi Mumbai) currently have twin-airport systems. Karnataka plans to consult developers of those projects to avoid capacity, connectivity, and coordination issues that Bengaluru may face once two airports operate simultaneously.

Factors such as passenger volume, industrial demand, freight corridors, and long-term growth will determine the final site.

Parallel Push: Tamil Nadu Moves Aggressively on Hosur Airport

Across the border, Tamil Nadu is racing ahead with its own airport proposal in Hosur, which could compete for passengers from South Bengaluru.

Key updates include:

Site clearance application already submitted to the Ministry of Civil Aviation

Proposed location: Berigai-Bagalur, Shoolagiri taluk

Project size: 2,300 acres, with 650 acres already State-owned

Phase 1 plan: one terminal + two runways

But TN faces a major obstacle - airspace access. The Defence Ministry earlier rejected a request for relaxed airspace in June due to conflict with HAL-controlled zones. Chennai has now made a fresh appeal, arguing that Bengaluru Airport and TAAL already share overlapping airspace with HAL, proving coordination is possible.

Site clearance may take 6-8 months, based on past timelines like the Parandur airport, which waited over a year.

Even after approvals, Hosur cannot start passenger flights for around eight years because of the same 150-km restriction linked to Bengaluru Airport.

South Bengaluru Emerging as the Aviation Hotspot

With two shortlisted sites and the government's explicit focus, South Bengaluru has emerged as the frontrunner for the next major airport. The competition with Tamil Nadu's Hosur project is set to reshape aviation dynamics across the region - but Karnataka's early push signals that the city's next gateway may indeed rise in the south.