The development of Hosur Airport, located near Bengaluru, will be delayed until at least 2033, according to a recent clarification by the Centre. This delay is due to a specific clause in the Concession Agreement signed between the Centre and Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), which prohibits the development, improvement, or upgradation of any new or existing airport within an aerial distance of 150 km from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) before 2033. The only exceptions to this restriction are the Mysore and Hassan airports.
The Tamil Nadu government has been pushing aggressively for the development of a greenfield airport at Hosur, which is strategically located close to Bengaluru. The airport, if developed, could alleviate congestion at the rapidly growing KIA and support the burgeoning aviation demand in the region. However, the 150-km radius clause presents a significant challenge, as it restricts any new airport projects within this zone.
Hosur, which lies just 35 km from Bengaluru, has long been considered a potential location for an airport, with the Tamil Nadu government seeing it as a vital infrastructure project to support regional development. The proposed greenfield airport is expected to improve connectivity, boost trade and tourism, and create jobs in the area, making it a key priority for the state. However, the Centre’s clarification on the 150-km restriction has created a roadblock, halting any immediate plans for the airport’s development.
While the clause is a setback for the Hosur airport project, it reflects the broader concern of protecting the interests of KIA, which serves as a major aviation hub for the region. The agreement aims to prevent over-competition and ensure that the existing infrastructure at KIA remains fully utilized before any new airports can be established in the surrounding area.
The Tamil Nadu government has expressed its disappointment over this delay but remains hopeful that discussions with the Centre may lead to a reconsideration of the 150-km clause in the future. In the meantime, the focus will likely shift to other regional airports such as Mysore and Hassan, which are not subject to the same restrictions, and efforts to expand and upgrade their infrastructure to meet growing demand.
For now, the Hosur airport development remains on hold, with no clear timeline for when it might move forward, as the Centre’s stance on the 150-km clause stands firm until 2033. The region’s aviation needs will continue to be addressed through the expansion of existing airports and other infrastructure projects in the coming years.
