Kayathar Airstrip

Military Demobilization and Obsolescence. The airstrip was a temporary base constructed specifically for wartime needs. With the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the strategic requirement for the airfield vanished. The British military demobilized its forces and decommissioned numerous temporary facilities, including RAF Kayathar, as they were no longer economically or strategically viable to maintain.

The site is completely defunct as an airport. The original concrete or asphalt runways have deteriorated, but their faint outlines, forming an 'X' shape, are still clearly visible from satellite imagery. The land has been repurposed and is now extensively used as a wind farm, with dozens of large wind turbines installed directly on and around the former airfield grounds. This makes the site unsuitable for any aviation activity. Some surrounding areas are also used for sparse agriculture.

Constructed by the British around 1942-1943, the airfield was officially known as RAF Kayathar. It was a significant military airbase during World War II, playing a crucial role in the Allied effort in the Southeast Asian theatre. Its primary function was to act as a forward staging and transport base supporting the Burma Campaign against Imperial Japan. The airfield was part of a large network of bases in Southern India used to ferry aircraft, transport troops, and move supplies towards the eastern front. It mainly handled transport aircraft and was a vital logistical link for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and other Allied forces.

There are no official, approved plans to reopen the Kayathar Airstrip. However, there have been recurring discussions and proposals over the past two decades from local politicians and industrial/commercial bodies in the Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts. They have advocated for its revival as a domestic airport or a dedicated cargo hub to boost regional economic development. These proposals have been submitted to state and central governments, sometimes with suggestions for inclusion in India's regional connectivity scheme (UDAN). A major and likely prohibitive obstacle to any such plan is the existing, well-established wind farm on the site, which would pose a significant safety hazard and require costly relocation.