**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 77, addressed on July 24, 2025, regarding the expansion of Puducherry Airport, the Ministry of Civil Aviation provides the following information.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has developed a Master Plan for Puducherry Airport to facilitate the operation of A320 aircraft, which includes a runway length of 2300m x 45m. This expansion requires an additional 402 acres of land, with 217 acres located in Tamil Nadu and 185 acres in Puducherry. The Master Plan has been shared with the Government of Puducherry.
Currently, Puducherry Airport offers connectivity to two destinations: Hyderabad and Bangalore.
Regarding the potential operation of flights from Puducherry to Kochi and Shirdi, the Ministry clarifies that following the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation sector is deregulated. Airlines have the autonomy to determine their capacity, aircraft type, routes, and networks based on commercial and operational feasibility. Therefore, the decision to initiate flights to Kochi and Shirdi rests with the individual airlines.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Puducherry Airport: An airport located in the Union Territory of Puducherry, India.
SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM: The Member of Parliament who asked the question regarding the expansion of Puducherry Airport.
Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu: The Minister of Civil Aviation who answered the question regarding the expansion of Puducherry Airport.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): The organisation responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India, where a portion of the land required for the Puducherry Airport expansion is located.
Hyderabad: A city in Telangana, connected to Puducherry Airport by flights.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 77
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
EXPANSION OF PUDUCHERRY AIRPORT
*77. SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the present status of expansion of Puducherry Airport;
(b) whether it is a fact that at present only two destinations are connected with
Puducherry Airport and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take action for operating flights from
Puducherry to Kochi and Shirdi in view of a large number of people travelling
thereto; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) IN
RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 77 FOR REPLY
ON 24.07.2025 REGARDING EXPANSION OF PUDUCHERRY AIRPORT
ASKED BY SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM.
(a): The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has developed a Master Plan for
Puducherry Airport with the provision for operation of A-320 type of aircraft
and Runway length of 2300m x 45m. The total additional land requirement
will be 402 acres, out of which 217 acres are situated in Tamil Nadu and 185
acres are in Puducherry. The Master Plan has been shared with the
Government of Puducherry.
(b): Puducherry Airport is presently connected to Hyderabad and Bangalore.
(c) & (d): With the repeal of Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the Indian
domestic aviation has been deregulated. Airlines are free to induct capacity
with any aircraft type, free to select whatever markets and network/route they
wish to service, depending on their commercial and operational feasibility.
*****