Why TN CM Stalin's Hosur Airport Dream Will Not Become A Reality Till 2033

The ambitious proposal by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to establish an international airport in Hosur faces significant regulatory hurdles due to existing agreements governing the operation of the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru.

On Thursday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin revealed plans to build an international airport in Hosur city. The airport is set to support the industrial growth of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts, promising significant socio-economic development for both regions.

Stalin said that the proposed airport will occupy 2,000 acres of land and have the capacity to accommodate 30 million passengers annually.

However, the Stalin's dream to build an airport will not be an easy task as agreement signed in 2004 between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) will not allow the construction of an airport within a 150-kilometer radius of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) until May 2033.

This agreement grants BIAL exclusive rights over domestic and international flights within this zone.

The agreement reads: "No new or existing airport (except for Mysuru and Hassan airports) shall be permitted by GoI to be developed as, or improved or upgraded into, a Domestic Airport within an aerial distance of 150 kilometres of the Airport before the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Airport Opening Date."

The proposed Hosur airport falls within this restricted radius, necessitating a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from BIAL for commercial operations. BIAL has historically enforced this agreement strictly, evidenced by their refusal to allow commercial flights at HAL airport in Bengaluru post-KIA's inauguration in Devanahalli.

In fact, Karnataka Minister MB Patil's recent directive to explore a second airport for Bengaluru underscores the urgency, as KIA is expected to reach peak passenger capacity by 2033. Last week, discussions were held regarding the feasibility of constructing a new airport, awaiting a detailed report from the Infrastructure Development Department.

While the Tamil Nadu government sees the Hosur airport as a solution to ease travel for southern Bengaluru residents, particularly those around Electronics City, BIAL remains tight-lipped on the matter. Residents hope the new airport will mitigate the notorious traffic jams that currently plague journeys to KIA, offering a potential relief to thousands of travelers.

Despite the challenges posed by the regulatory framework, stakeholders await further developments, eager to see if Stalin's ambitious plans can navigate the complexities and make the Hosur airport a reality.

Meanwhile, former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai voiced concerns that Tamil Nadu's proposal for Hosur International Airport could lure Karnataka industries to the neighboring state. In a social media post, he stated, "Tamil Nadu CM Stalin announces international airport in Hosur. Karnataka lost industries to Hosur over the last 40 years due to lethargy and lackadaisical attitude. Now, an attempt has been made to take more business from Karnataka. Karnataka must improve infra."