AAI pushes Tamil Nadu to fast-track Rameswaram airport project

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has formally written to the Tamil Nadu government, expressing its willingness to construct the proposed Rameswaram airport in Ramanathapuram district. The communication, sent recently, urges the State government to identify a suitable site and acquire land for the project, according to official sources.

The AAI believes the airport has strong potential due to the large number of tourists visiting Rameswaram, a prominent pilgrimage and coastal town. The project, the sources said, could be implemented under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), which aims to make air travel affordable and improve regional connectivity. However, progress depends on the State government completing the land identification and acquisition process.

The demand for an airport in Rameswaram is not new. In September 2024, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had already requested the State government to consider developing the airport. Following that, the Tamil Nadu government shortlisted five sites — Devipattanam, Palankulam, Sattakkonvasalai, Pirappanvalasai, and Tirupullani. In September 2025, the list was narrowed down to two, and the State asked the AAI to conduct pre-feasibility inspections at these locations.

After studying the shortlisted sites, the AAI recommended a location near Tirupullani, close to Keelakarai, as the most suitable for building the airport. This recommendation has been communicated to the State government, but no final decision has been made.

Another option under consideration is the Indian Navy's air station, INS Parundu, near Uchipuli in Ramanathapuram district. Sources indicated that the State government had examined the possibility of developing a civil enclave within the naval facility — a designated area for commercial flights. While such an arrangement is technically possible, it comes with certain operational and security-related challenges that require detailed discussion.

A source familiar with the matter said, “A site has not been finalised yet. Both Uchipuli and Keelakarai have been examined. Further discussions have to be held to consider various aspects, after which a site can be chosen.”

Meanwhile, a question has been raised about the necessity of a new airport in Rameswaram, given that the Madurai airport is only about a three-and-a-half-hour drive away. Some observers argue that improving road connectivity to Madurai might be a more cost-effective alternative. However, AAI's push indicates that the demand for direct air connectivity to Rameswaram remains strong, especially given the town's significance as a religious and tourism hub.

Once the site is finalised and land acquired, the project will require approvals under the UDAN scheme, which offers viability gap funding to airlines operating on underserved routes. The timeline for the project, however, is yet to be determined, as the land acquisition process in Tamil Nadu can be time-consuming.

For now, the ball is in the State government's court. The AAI has reiterated its readiness to proceed, but the pace of progress will depend on how quickly the government can resolve the land-related hurdles and give a clear go-ahead.