The expansion of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is finally resumed after three years of waiting. The purchase of a further 34 acres of land is now under consideration by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and the government is expected to make a decision soon.

The request was submitted to the state transportation department two months ago by Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TIAL). It was eventually handed over to the tax authorities for land acquisition. Of the 34 acres, 18 are needed for terminal development at Vayyamoola and 16 at Brahmos Aerospace to enlarge the runway for bigger and more flights.

Although the Airport Authority of India (AAI) had decided to acquire 18 hectares in 2014, residents led by the joint action council of Vallakadavu and Vayyamoola protested, saying it would damage their livelihoods. After three years of uncertainty, the neighborhood collector held a public meeting in October 2017 where residents agreed to conduct a social impact analysis in the area to identify those affected.