The Kerala government has directed the revenue department to expedite land acquisition for the long-delayed runway expansion at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

At a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister K M Abraham, officials were instructed to remove administrative bottlenecks and urgently acquire 22 acres required for the development of the Runway End Safety Area (RESA), a mandatory safety feature under international aviation norms.

Originally slated for completion by September 2024, the RESA project was stalled due to land disputes and bureaucratic delays. A significant hurdle remains the acquisition of 4.5 acres currently under BrahMos Aerospace, a sensitive defence site under the Union Ministry of Defence, which requiring Central approval for transfer. The state has also identifed a relocation site for the Chackai fire and rescue station, which lies within the proposed expansion zone. Portions of the Chackai–Shanghumugham Road may also be taken over, though the ITI at Chackai will not be affected.

The project aims to boost emergency landing capabilities and accommodate larger aircraft, strengthening Thiruvananthapuram’s role as a major southern aviation hub. Aviation Secretary K Biju emphasised the importance of the expansion for operational safety and future growth.