**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation to Unstarred Question No. 3196 in Lok Sabha, scheduled for December 18, 2025, regarding the operationalisation of Puducherry Airport. It addresses challenges to the airport's full operationalization and outlines measures taken by the government. Spicejet Ltd. operations ceased on 30.03.2024.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **AAI Master Plan:**
* Airports Authority of India (AAI) has submitted the Master Plan and Obstacle Limitation Survey (OLS) report to the Government of Puducherry.
* The plan aims to facilitate operations of A-320 type aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
* It includes a proposal for an expanded runway of 2300 m x 45 m.
* AAI projects an additional land requirement of 402 acres (217 acres in Tamil Nadu and 185 acres in Puducherry).
* **Land Acquisition Responsibility:**
* According to the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016, providing land for airport development (free of cost and encumbrances) rests with the respective State Government/Union Territory Administration.
* **Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN):**
* Under the UDAN scheme, Spicejet Ltd. operated the "Hyderabad-Puducherry-Hyderabad" route from 16.08.2017 until 30.03.2024.
* Currently, IndiGo operates commercial flights on the Puducherry-Hyderabad-Puducherry Sector.
* **Deregulation of Aviation Sector:**
* Indian domestic aviation is fully deregulated since the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994.
* Airlines have the autonomy to select markets, routes, and aircraft types, complying with the Routes Dispersal Guidelines (RDG).
* **Airline Operational Decisions:**
* The decision to introduce air services to or from any airport depends on the airline operator's operational and commercial viability.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of Puducherry**
* **Impact:** Required to review and act on AAI Master plan.
* **Action Required:** Responsible for providing the required land (402 acres) free of cost and encumbrances for the airport's development as per the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016.
**Airports Authority of India (AAI)**
* **Impact:** Land availability dependent on Puducherry Government.
* **Action Required:** Continue collaboration with Government of Puducherry.
**Airlines (e.g., IndiGo)**
* **Impact:** Impacted by the operational and commercial viability of routes to and from Puducherry Airport.
* **Action Required:** Evaluate the commercial viability of routes and make decisions accordingly.
**Passengers/Public**
* **Impact:** Benefit from improved connectivity.
* **Action Required:** No action required.
**Tourism Sector**
* **Impact:** Benefit from improved connectivity.
* **Action Required:** No action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Airports Authority of India (AAI): The entity responsible for submitting the Master Plan and Obstacle Limitation Survey report for Puducherry Airport.
Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS): A scheme under which airlines have operated flights to and from Puducherry.
National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016: A policy that defines the responsibility for providing land for airport development.
Puducherry: Union territory where the airport's operationalization is being discussed.
Routes Dispersal Guidelines (RDG): Guidelines airlines must comply with.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3196
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18th December 2025 )
OPERATIONALISATION OF PUDUCHERRY AIRPORT
3196. SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has examined the challenges arising from inadequate runway
length, limited apron capacity, absence of night-landing approval and restricted regional
connectivity that continue to constrain full operationalisation of Puducherry Airport and
hinder passenger-traffic growth in the Union Territory of Puducherry and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) the measures proposed to be taken by the Government for addressing land-availability
constraints, strengthening safety infrastructure, improving terminal facilities, enhancing air-
navigation systems and securing long-term schedules under regional connectivity schemes for
Puducherry; and
(c) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure sustainable expansion of civil
aviation services in Puducherry including improved coordination with the territorial
administration, transparent monitoring of airline commitments and targeted support for
increased tourism and economic activity?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) & (b): Airports Authority of India (AAI) has submitted the Master Plan and Obstacle
Limitation Survey (OLS) report to the Government of Puducherry. As per the Master Plan,
which aims to facilitate operations of A-320 type aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
including a proposal for an expanded runway of 2300 m x 45 m, the Airports Authority of
India (AAI) has projected a total additonal land requirement of 402 acres - comprising 217
acres in Tamil Nadu and 185 acres in Puducherry. As per provisions of the National Civil
Aviation Policy, 2016, the responsibility for providing land required for development of
airports, free of cost and free from all encumbrances, rests with the respective State
Government/Union Territory Administration.
;
(c): Under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS),
Spicejet Ltd. commenced the operations on "Hyderabad- Puducherry - Hyderabad" route on
16.08.2017, and continued operations till 30.03.2024. At present, IndiGo is operating
commercial flights on the Puducherry-Hyderabad-Puducherry Sector.;Also, with the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, Indian domestic aviation has
been fully deregulated. Airlines are free to select markets and routes, induct any aircraft type,
and operate in compliance with the Routes Dispersal Guidelines (RDG) issued by the
government. Therefore, the decision to introduce air services to or from any airport depends
on the airline operator's operational and commercial viability.
******