Madurai Excluded from ASEAN Tourism List: CM Stalin Urged to Address ‘Step-Motherly Treatment’ of Madurai Airport
MADURAI: The Agri & All Trade Chamber of Madurai has raised serious concerns and expressed deep frustration regarding the omission of Madurai and Madurai Airport from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry’s list of 18 tourism points for ASEAN countries. The Ministry had recently offered 18 key tourism destinations across India for the introduction of direct flights from ASEAN countries under the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASAM). Unfortunately, Madurai, which holds immense cultural and historical significance, was notably excluded from this prestigious list.
In an urgent press release issued on March 7, 2025, S. Rethinavelu, the President of the Agri & All Trade Chamber, called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to intervene immediately and seek the inclusion of Madurai in the list. This inclusion would allow direct international flights from ASEAN countries to Madurai, bypassing the need for a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), which would significantly boost tourism and connectivity for the city.
Understanding the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASAM) and Its Impact
The ASEAN Open Skies Policy, also known as the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASAM), came into effect on January 1, 2015. This policy was designed to enhance air connectivity between ASEAN member nations and India, promoting tourism and regional cooperation. Through the ASAM, India has opened up 18 points of tourism to direct flights from ASEAN countries, offering a unique opportunity to increase international arrivals and improve connectivity.
However, despite its clear potential, Madurai has been excluded from the 18 cities that were identified. This exclusion is especially concerning given the city’s importance as a cultural and tourism hub. The list of 18 tourism points approved by the Union Civil Aviation Ministry includes well-known cities such as Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Aurangabad, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Cochin, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Jaipur, Khajuraho, Lucknow, Patna, Port Blair, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam.
Madurai’s exclusion, despite being home to one of India’s most iconic temples, the Meenakshi Temple, and its connection to numerous prominent pilgrimage sites, has left many stakeholders baffled and disappointed.
Why Madurai Deserves a Spot on the ASEAN Tourism List
Madurai’s absence from the tourism points list is nothing short of shocking to the local community. The city is home to the world-famous Meenakshi Temple, a significant religious and cultural landmark that attracts millions of tourists annually. Beyond the temple, Madurai is strategically located to serve as a gateway to other important tourist destinations such as Rameswaram, Dhanushkodi, Kanyakumari, Kodaikanal, and Courtallam – all of which are major pilgrimage and tourism spots in Southern India.
The lack of direct flights to Madurai from ASEAN countries has created a bottleneck in terms of accessibility, which hampers the city’s potential to grow as a leading tourism hub. With direct connectivity, Madurai could become a critical node in the international tourism network, helping both the region and India’s broader tourism sector thrive.
The decision to exclude Madurai from this list, especially when less prominent cities were included, has raised questions about the fairness of the criteria used by the Union Civil Aviation Ministry. Madurai’s rich history, cultural importance, and modern-day relevance as a tourism hotspot should have made it a natural candidate for inclusion in the ASEAN tourism initiative.
The Agri & All Trade Chamber’s Appeal to the Union Civil Aviation Minister
S. Rethinavelu’s urgent press release emphasizes the need for immediate action to include Madurai as an additional tourism point alongside the existing 18 cities. He has urged the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr. Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, to reconsider the decision and allow ASEAN countries to introduce direct flights to Madurai without the requirement for a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
Rethinavelu pointed out that the current policy limits the potential for growth and severely restricts air travel options for both international tourists and the local population. He further mentioned that if the Madurai-Singapore flight were to be withdrawn, it would cause a significant loss to the region’s economy and tourism sector.
The State of Madurai Airport: Neglected Yet Promising
Madurai Airport has consistently maintained a prominent position among India’s 11 Customs airports, handling international passengers despite its limited number of international destinations. In January 2025, Madurai airport handled over 20,000 international passengers with only three international routes: Singapore, Sharjah, and Colombo. However, with limited international connectivity, the airport faces challenges in providing competitive services and affordable airfares for passengers.
The lack of direct international flights to Madurai has led to exorbitant flight fares, as passengers are forced to take longer routes with limited airline options. By allowing direct flights from ASEAN countries, the competition would increase, leading to reduced airfare and improved service for passengers.
As Rethinavelu pointed out in his press release, the exclusion of Madurai from the ASEAN tourism initiative is a missed opportunity. The region’s airport has the potential to be a vital hub in international tourism, but it is being neglected due to what Rethinavelu described as “step-motherly treatment” from the Civil Aviation Ministry.
The Call for Action: Why CM Stalin’s Intervention Is Crucial
Rethinavelu’s appeal to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reflects the growing frustration and concern among local stakeholders. The intervention of the Chief Minister is seen as crucial in ensuring that the Union Civil Aviation Ministry takes the necessary steps to rectify the omission and include Madurai in the ASEAN tourism network.
By including Madurai, the Ministry would not only support the city’s tourism industry but also contribute to the overall development of Southern Tamil Nadu. As a state with a rich cultural heritage and diverse tourist attractions, Tamil Nadu stands to benefit significantly from increased international connectivity.
The inclusion of Madurai would also serve to highlight the importance of equitable development in India’s tourism sector, ensuring that no city with significant tourism potential is left behind in favor of others.
Conclusion: Madurai’s Role in India’s Tourism Future
Madurai’s exclusion from the ASEAN tourism list is more than just a bureaucratic oversight; it is an issue that reflects broader challenges in the equitable distribution of tourism opportunities across India. Madurai’s strategic location, its cultural and religious importance, and its growing role in the tourism sector make it an ideal candidate for inclusion.
The intervention of CM Stalin and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry is crucial for the city’s tourism growth and for ensuring that Southern Tamil Nadu can fully participate in the region’s expanding international tourism network. By including Madurai in the list of ASEAN tourism points, the government would not only support the region’s economy but also bolster India’s position as a global tourism destination.
