a proposal to set up a private Greenfield airport at Karaikal in Puducherry has been cleared by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). The Super Airport Infrastructure (India) Private Limited (SAIIPL), a Coimbatore-based infrastructure promoting company has obtained final clearance within a month after getting 'No Objection Certificate' from the Puducherry government to its proposal this year.

As the company has already received the clearance for the 550 acre site at Karaikal from both MoCA and Defense Authorities, the airport construction work is expected to commence soon after receiving the formal license for the private airport, the final step in the approval process.

According to official sources, the private airport project envisages a three kilometre runway. SAIIPL has proposed to make an initial investment of Rs 250 crore to construct the airport. SAIIPL is now awaiting formal license to commence construction works, which are expected to be completed within 18 months.

During 2006, the Puducherry government floated an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting proposals for taking up a techno-commercial feasibility study for promoting a Greenfield airport at Karaikal. SAIIPL undertook the study and submitted a report within a few months. SAIIPL had stated that commercial air connectivity to the town would prove viable.