Parliament Question: Operationalisation of Vellore and Neyveli Airports

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3335 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12th March 2026 ) OPERATIONALISATION OF VELLORE AND NEYVELI AIRPORTS 3335. THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the prolonged delay in licensing and operationalisation of the Vellore and Neyveli RCS airports in Tamil Nadu despite repeated announcements under the UDAN scheme and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of applications submitted for licensing and operational clearance of these airports including dates of submission, inspections conducted, deficiencies pointed out, the present status and the reasons for delay along with the revised timeline fixed for granting final approval; (c) whether the Government has assessed the economic and regional connectivity loss to northern and central Tamil Nadu due to these delays and if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether the Government proposes to introduce or approve additional scheduled services from Salem to Chennai and Madurai to meet rising passenger demand and if so, the details thereof along with the timelines fixed in this regard? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) and (b): Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), Vellore and Neyveli airports in Tamil Nadu were identified for development and operation of RCS flights. The development work at both airports has been completed. For Vellore Airport, Airports Authority of India (AAI) submitted the application for issuance of Aerodrome License on 27.03.2023. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted inspections of Vellore Airport during 26th - 28th February, 2024 and 11th December, 2025 to review compliance. At present, final security vetting by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which is an essential requirement for issuance of Aerodrome License, is pending.For Neyveli Airport, M/s NLC India Limited submitted the application for issuance of Aerodrome License on 20.10.2023. DGCA conducted inspections of Neyveli Airport during 20th - 22nd November, 2024 and 29th - 30th January, 2026 to review compliance. At present, final security vetting by BCAS and installation of Meteorological (MET) instruments are pending. Licensing of any airport is subject to compliance of safety and security related requirements. (c): The development and operationalisation of airports is undertaken in accordance with prescribed regulatory and safety requirements with a view to enhancing regional air connectivity. The Government also engages with the concerned stakeholders from time to time to facilitate the development and operationalisation of airports in compliance with the applicable regulatory framework. (d): With the repeal of Air Corporations Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation was deregulated. Airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type, free to select whatever markets and network they wish to service. Hence, it is upto the airline operators to introduce air services to / from any airport in the country depending on their operational & commercial viability. ******