Parliament Question: Expansion of Airport Infrastructure in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1909 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 30th July 2026 ) EXPANSION OF AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IN TAMIL NADU 1909. SHRI SELVAM G SHRI C N ANNADURAI DR. RANI SRIKUMAR Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has assessed the growing demand for domestic air travel in Tamil Nadu and the adequacy of airport infrastructure and regional air connectivity to meet such demand and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of passenger traffic and aircraft movements at airports in Tamil Nadu during the last three years, airport-wise; (c) whether the Government proposes to strengthen airport infrastructure and expand regional air connectivity under the UDAN Scheme by connecting unserved and underserved locations in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether any new airports, additional UDAN routes, terminal expansion projects and runway upgradation works have been approved or are under consideration for the said State; and (e) the measures being taken to enhance passenger convenience, improve air connectivity to underserved regions and support tourism, trade and economic growth in Tamil Nadu? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (e):The Government has taken various steps for the development of airport infrastructure, which, inter-alia, include grant of ?In-Principle' approval for construction of new Greenfield airports, upgradation and modernisation of existing airports by AAI, Development/revival of unserved/underserved airports under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) andpromoting private investments in existing and new airports through the Public Private Partnership (PPP). Further, modernisation and development of infrastructure facilities at the existing airports is a continuous process, which is undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) or the concerned Airport Operator / Developer depending upon traffic demand, commercial feasibility, operational requirements for safety of aircraft operation and demand from airlines. The passenger traffic and aircraft movements at airports in Tamil Nadu during the last three years, airport-wise is given at Annexure. To further strengthen the regional connectivity and support tourism, trade and economic growth in the country including Tamil Nadu, the next phase of the UDAN Scheme has been launched on 04.07.2026. It will promote air connectivity in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and remote regions across the country, targeting 120 new destinations and 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years. The Scheme is being implemented from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36 with an outlay of Rs. 28,840 crore, including Rs.12,159 crore for Aerodrome development and Rs. 3,661 crore for development of 200 heliports in Hilly, North-Eastern and Aspirational States/districts. ******Annexure Aircraft Movement and Total Passenger Handled (In Numbers) at Airports in Tamil Nadu 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026 Aircraft Aircraft Airport Passeng Aircraft Passenge Movemen Movem Passenger er Movement r t ent 2120726 CHENNAI 145790 156126 22411290 158702 23017324 2 COIMBAT 18396 2904611 21833 3253190 22462 3420745 ORE MADURA 11927 1285976 13513 1399046 13105 1388062 I SALEM 954 42568 2504 130132 2584 127070 TIRUCHIR 14314 1763942 17398 1956851 18858 2221024 APPALLI TUTICORI 3020 199761 3676 230151 4366 290398 N 2740412 Total 194401 215050 29380660 220077 30464623 0