NEW DELHI, India — India’s Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to designate Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu as an international airport, a move aimed at boosting regional connectivity, tourism, and economic growth in southern India.
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the declaration as part of the government’s broader strategy to expand the country’s aviation infrastructure.
Located in the historic temple city of Madurai, the airport is among the oldest in Tamil Nadu and serves as a key transportation hub for the southern part of the state. Officials say the upgrade will strengthen the airport’s role as a gateway for tourism and pilgrimage, while supporting trade and investment in the region.
“Elevating Madurai Airport to International Status would enhance regional connectivity, promote trade, and drive economic development in the region. The airport’s potential to attract international pilgrims and businesses aligns with the city’s historical prominence,” according to a Cabinet note.
The decision comes as India pushes to significantly expand its aviation network over the coming decades. The government has set a target of building or operationalizing 350 airports by 2047.
India currently operates 164 airports and plans to add roughly 200 more by that year, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said recently.
According to Naidu, the challenge for the aviation sector is not simply building new airports but ensuring sufficient aircraft capacity to support the growing network.
India is preparing to take the next step in developing its civil aviation sector by building a domestic manufacturing ecosystem capable of meeting future demand, he said.
The minister noted that such an ecosystem would not only support the country’s growing aviation market over the next 10 to 20 years but could also position India as a global exporter in aviation manufacturing.
Highlighting the sector’s rapid growth, Naidu said the number of airports, passenger traffic, and aircraft fleets in India have all doubled over the past decade, attributing the expansion to policy reforms introduced under the government, including the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
He added that the Civil Aviation Ministry remains committed to supporting companies interested in partnering with India to develop aviation manufacturing capabilities. (Source: IANS)
