Expansion plans
In 2013, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) received environmental clearance to extend the runway by constructing a 1,500-feet-long bridge on stilts over the sea. The extension is to be built at a cost of Rs 3 billion and will allow aircraft like the ATR-72 to be operated without any payload restrictions. AAI originally planned to construct a bridge between Agatti and the neighbouring uninhabited Kalpati Island to make the runway long enough to handle an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737. [7] However, this plan was rejected on environmental grounds as the bridge would have gone through a turtle colony and Kalpati island would need to be levelled to accommodate the extended runway. [8]
As per the revised master plan, [4] the following works will be undertaken:
- The existing runway will be extended by 336 metres in the south-west direction over the lagoon towards Kalpati Island without interconnecting the two islands.
- Construction of new Terminal building, ATC tower cum Technical block & Fire Station in the north-west direction by constructing a platform supported by R.C.C pillars on the lagoon.
- A fully air-conditioned Terminal building covering 2250 square metres to cater for 150 passengers at a time (75 arriving and 75 departing).
- The existing Control Tower cum fire station and existing Terminal building that falls inside of the proposed basic strip will be demolished.
- A new 118×62-metre apron suitable for parking two ATR-72 aircraft with power-in and power-out configuration will be constructed on a platform supported by RCC pillars in the lagoon.
- Runway End Safety Area (RESA) measuring 60×90 metres and a Blast Pad/Overrun area measuring 60×30 metres.
- 73-metre long taxiway from the Runway to the Apron.
- Parking area for 75 cars about 2,000 square metres (22,000 sq ft).
- Proposed DVOR and NDB navigational aids will be placed on Kalpati island.
On 18 July 2024, the Government of India had cleared the proposal of the expansion of the airport along with the construction of new airport in Minicoy. This will make the airport a tri-service military base with a civilian air enclave. The airbase will be capable of operating fighter jets, long-range UAVs and military transport aircraft. The project is led by the Indian Air Force and will be used by all the branches of the Armed Forces and the Indian Coast Guard. [9] [10]
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