150-km Airport Norm to Ease After Capacity Saturation, Boosting Second Airport Plans

India’s airport development policy is set to witness a shift following remarks by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who clarified that the long-standing 150-kilometre restriction on greenfield airports does not apply once an existing airport’s capacity is fully saturated. The clarification carries implications for high-growth regions where passenger traffic is rising.

The 150-km aerial distance norm has traditionally served as a guiding framework to protect the operational and financial stability of existing airports. Under this policy, greenfield airports are generally not permitted within 150 km of an operational civilian airport. However, the minister stressed that the restriction is not absolute and ceases to apply once capacity constraints emerge, opening the door for a second airport.

This interpretation is particularly relevant for southern India, including Tamil Nadu. The state’s proposal for a greenfield airport at Hosur was earlier rejected under the UDAN scheme, as the site falls within 75 km of Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. However, Kempegowda Airport handled about 41 million passengers in FY25 against a current capacity of nearly 55 million passengers annually.

At the present pace, Bengaluru’s main airport could reach its designed capacity within a few years. Although the operator has announced expansion plans to scale capacity to around 100 million passengers per annum, the minister’s statement raises questions on whether saturation will be assessed based on existing capacity or planned augmentation.

Beyond individual projects, the clarification aligns with the Centre’s aviation strategy focused on long-term capacity creation. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is encouraging states to plan second airports in major metro regions, while also accelerating airport development in tier-two and tier-three cities, island territories, and the northeastern states.

India’s aviation potential remains significant globally. Despite a population comparable to China, India operates fewer aircraft, underscoring headroom for growth. Projects such as Noida International Airport at Jewar and Bhogapuram Airport near Visakhapatnam are nearing milestones.

For states like Tamil Nadu, the evolving interpretation of the 150-km rule offers optimism. As passenger volumes rise and urban economies expand, a flexible policy approach to airport development could support connectivity, industrial growth, and economic resilience nationwide.