Madurai Airport Calls for International Connectivity to Boost Economic Growth
Madurai, a city renowned for its cultural and tourism significance, has long been excluded from important air service agreements that would enhance its international connectivity. Despite strong demand for international flights, the region remains underserved, and stakeholders are increasingly calling on the government to grant Madurai Airport international status. The airport, which began its night operations three months ago, has only seen one domestic night flight: the Chennai-Madurai service. With limited international connectivity, industry experts argue that expanding Madurai Airport’s access to global destinations would not only benefit the local economy but also improve the travel options for both international tourists and domestic passengers.
Madurai, which has rich cultural tourism potential, has been excluded from the Open Skies policy that allows certain airports in India to receive Point-of-Call (PoC) status for foreign carriers. According to Mahendra Varman, a senior member of the Madurai Infrastructure and Development Group, 18 airports—including Trichy, Port Blair, and Goa—were granted PoC status under the policy, which allows foreign carriers from ASEAN nations to operate from these airports. However, despite being a key destination for international visitors, Madurai has not received similar recognition, which has restricted airlines from operating international flights. Varman has called for a revision of the policy, which would not only benefit Indian carriers but also strengthen regional airports like Madurai. He highlighted that AirAsia had shown interest in flying to Madurai as early as 2003, but restrictive bilateral agreements have prevented the airline from launching services to the city. This, he says, has been a missed opportunity for both the airport and the region.
Aviation enthusiast Mohammed Mustafa has echoed these concerns, pointing out that the growing demand for international connectivity post-COVID has made the need for PoC approvals more urgent. If Madurai remains excluded from such agreements, it risks losing international passengers to nearby Trichy, which is just 100 km away and already serves multiple international destinations. Currently, Madurai Airport holds customs clearance status but is limited in its international operations, with only a single PoC granted to SriLankan Airlines. N Jegatheesan, President of the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, explained that obtaining international status would allow foreign travellers to obtain visas on arrival, potentially boosting tourism and business opportunities in the region. Jegatheesan also raised concerns about the stalled runway expansion project, which is crucial for the airport’s development. Despite petitions to grant Madurai international status, the airport still faces hurdles, including land acquisition challenges related to infrastructure projects. Jegatheesan has urged the state’s Chief Minister, M. K. Stalin, to consider an alternative model for the Madurai-Aruppukottai Road underpass, which could avoid the need for complicated land acquisition procedures.
A senior official from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) acknowledged that although airlines have shown interest in operating early morning domestic flights from Madurai, international operations have been slow to materialise. The official also noted that while the proximity of Trichy with its established international links presents a challenge, recognising Madurai’s potential could lead to PoC status being granted in the future. Additionally, the airport’s infrastructure, which includes facilities for night parking of up to 12 aircraft, makes it well-equipped to handle expanded operations. In the wake of these ongoing challenges, stakeholders remain hopeful that the central government will recognise Madurai’s potential and grant it international status. Doing so would not only open new international flight routes but also unlock numerous economic opportunities for the region. With strong cultural, tourism, and economic potential, Madurai’s airport could become a vital hub for international travel, contributing significantly to Tamil Nadu’s growth and its role on the global stage. As discussions continue, Madurai’s future as an international gateway for southern India hinges on policy shifts and the government’s willingness to acknowledge the city’s strategic importance in the broader aviation landscape.
