Overview
- On March 10, the Union Cabinet approved declaring Madurai Airport an international airport, citing gains for tourism, trade and connectivity.
- The upgrade will allow more overseas routes in addition to existing services to Colombo, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- Karnataka infrastructure minister M B Patil called the decision discriminatory and unacceptable for overlooking Hubballi and Belagavi.
- Patil alleged the timing could be tied to upcoming Tamil Nadu elections and urged MPs Pralhad Joshi, Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai to press the Centre.
- Patil said a June 24, 2025 letter to Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu seeking upgrades for the two Karnataka airports has not drawn a response, and he demanded at least one be approved.