Mysuru is poised to take a major step forward in regional air connectivity, with officials confirming that the handover of land required for the expansion of Mysuru Airport will be completed by next month. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which is executing the expansion project, will receive a total of 240 acres—of which 230 acres have already been acquired by the state.
This land will be used to extend the existing runway, enabling the airport to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. The runway extension is a long-pending demand to integrate Mysuru more seamlessly into India’s domestic aviation network. Currently, the airport services small ATR aircraft, which limits both passenger capacity and flight reach. A senior government official overseeing the project confirmed that only 10 acres remain under acquisition, and efforts are on to expedite the process. Once the entire land parcel is secured, it will be transferred to AAI, which will initiate the physical expansion of the airport.
In addition to acquiring land, the state government has committed ₹100 crore towards critical enabling works. This includes the relocation of a high-tension power line running through the expansion site, which is expected to take about six months. The government is also addressing the issue of existing irrigation canals near the airport, to ensure they do not obstruct construction activities. The expansion comes at a crucial juncture for Mysuru, which has seen increasing demand for direct air connectivity from business travellers, tourists, and investors. Extending the runway is expected to bring in new routes, reduce road travel to Bengaluru, and offer significant time savings, especially for industries and tourists in the region.
Officials have indicated that the expansion will be carried out in phases, beginning with runway extension and airside infrastructure. This will be followed by upgrades to the terminal, apron, and navigational facilities. The longer runway will allow for the operation of narrow-body aircraft, thereby opening up possibilities for flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and other Tier-1 cities. The initiative aligns with India’s UDAN scheme, which aims to enhance regional connectivity by making air travel accessible to smaller cities. Mysuru’s upgraded airport will also reduce the carbon footprint of road-based travel and support more sustainable mobility across Karnataka.
Urban mobility and planning experts argue that the airport expansion must go hand-in-hand with improved public transport access. This includes last-mile connectivity, safe pedestrian access, and low-emission bus services to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all sections of society, including women, the elderly, and differently-abled travellers. The proposed expansion also highlights the importance of environmentally sensitive planning. Stakeholders have recommended integrating eco-friendly technologies such as rainwater harvesting, solar-powered lighting, and green-certified building materials into the new terminal design. Doing so will help ensure that Mysuru Airport grows in a way that is both future-ready and climate-resilient.
While the expansion is widely welcomed, officials acknowledge that there are logistical and administrative challenges. Apart from completing the remaining land acquisition, the relocation of utilities such as the HT power line must be coordinated across multiple departments and executed without delays. Past airport projects in India have seen schedule overruns due to such inter-agency coordination issues. The compensation process for landowners is largely complete, but civil society organisations have urged the government to maintain transparency and fairness, especially in cases involving agricultural land. As the final 10 acres are acquired, ensuring adequate rehabilitation measures will be key to maintaining local support.
Experts note that the Mysuru Airport expansion could serve as a model for how mid-sized cities can plan infrastructure that is both economically and environmentally sound. With regional aviation expected to grow significantly in the coming decade, enabling cities like Mysuru to support sustainable air mobility will be critical to reducing traffic congestion and decentralising growth from metropolitan hubs. According to transport economists, every ₹1 crore invested in aviation infrastructure can generate employment for up to 6–8 people and create multiplier effects in tourism, hospitality, and logistics. Mysuru, with its strong tourism economy and growing IT footprint, stands to benefit immensely from better air connectivity.
As construction gears up, the city’s civic bodies have also been urged to prepare for the increased passenger inflow by enhancing road infrastructure, traffic management, and urban amenities around the airport. Planning authorities are considering zoning measures to preserve open spaces and avoid unplanned development in the vicinity of the expanded facility. If the current timelines are met, Mysuru Airport could begin operations with larger aircraft by 2026, marking a transformative shift in the city’s accessibility and economic growth potential. While challenges remain, the handover of land next month will be a decisive step toward achieving that goal.
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