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While Karnataka moves ahead with plans for a second airport near Bengaluru to ease pressure on Kempegowda International Airport, the proposed Hosur airport in Tamil Nadu faces regulatory, distance, and timeline hurdles, making early operations unlikely.
The Karnataka government has initiated steps to develop a second airport near Bengaluru to reduce the growing burden on Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Devanahalli. Passenger traffic at KIA has increased sharply, making it the second-busiest airport in the country, overtaking Mumbai in passenger handling.
At the same time, neighbouring Tamil Nadu has proposed building a new airport at Hosur, close to the Karnataka border. However, regulatory and contractual restrictions make it clear that the Hosur airport cannot become operational in the near future.
Under a concession agreement signed between the Central government and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), no new airport can be developed within a 150-kilometre radius of KIA until 2033 without BIAL’s explicit approval. As the proposed Hosur airport location falls within this 150-kilometre zone, consent from BIAL is mandatory for any such project before 2033.
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According to recent information, the Central government has removed the proposed Hosur airport from the list of airports to be connected under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme. Tamil Nadu, however, has clarified that it is not seeking UDAN funding for the Hosur project. The State plans to build an international airport on about 2,300 acres of land at Sulagiri, east of Hosur city.
Despite this, experts point out that construction of the Hosur airport before 2033 is not possible due to the BIAL agreement. Even if Tamil Nadu chooses to develop the airport through private investment, operations are unlikely to begin before 2038–40.
In contrast, Karnataka’s second airport proposal stands on stronger ground. The Karnataka government is a shareholder in BIAL, holding a 13% stake through the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation. Other shareholders include Fairfax India Holdings (64%), Siemens Project Ventures (10%), and the Airports Authority of India (13%).
As a stakeholder, Karnataka has a say in BIAL’s policy and decision-making processes. This makes it easier for the State to secure approvals for a second airport within Karnataka, while also ensuring that permission for the Hosur airport can be delayed if required.
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Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has indicated preference for locations near Somnahalli or Choodanahalli along Kanakapura Road for Bengaluru’s second airport. However, the final site selection will be made jointly by the State and Central governments. The project is expected to require an investment of more than ₹5,000 crore, and private participation could reduce the financial burden on the State.
Experts have cautioned investors against speculative property investments in Hosur, Sarjapur, or Attibele based solely on the Hosur airport proposal, noting that any real impact may take until 2040. Instead, they advise waiting until the location of Bengaluru’s second airport is officially finalised before making real estate investments nearby.
