TN Seeks Defence Ministry Nod for Controlled Airspace Over Hosur Airport Project

The Tamil Nadu government has formally sought Ministry of Defence approval to declare controlled airspace over Hosur as part of its proposal to build a new airport in the industrial town.

The proposed airport in the Krishnagiri district, which lies on the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, will service a huge population base of both states and enhance regional connectivity. Officials confirmed that a formal proposal has been made to the Defence Ministry as the area’s airspace falls under the Defence Ministry.

Concurrently, the state hired a consultant to carry out an Obstacle Limitation Surveys (OLS) survey—a critical process in airport planning that plots horizontal and vertical obstacles to support safe aircraft operation. Already, the survey commenced and should be finished by the end of July.

Hosur, a leading automobile and electronics-producing center, has seen rising investments in recent years. The airport will further the region’s logistics prowess and help Tamil Nadu’s larger effort to consolidate its manufacturing ecosystem.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) was previously asked to study five possible locations for the greenfield airport. Two shortlisted locations have now been identified: one south of Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited (TAAL) in Hosur taluk, and the other east of Hosur, close to Shoolagiri.

The Defence Ministry is being requested to consider controlled airspace approval for both locations, according to sources. “We will finalize the location depending on the OLS results. There are some terrain difficulties at both sites, but the TAAL vicinity site displays relatively fewer undulations,” a source replied.

The Defence Ministry is expected to approve the request in the next three to four months, officials are hoping.

Once the OLS survey has been completed, the state will determine the final location and inform all the concerned stakeholders.