Tamil Nadu, a beautiful state in South India, is famous for its scenic beauty and rich cultural legacy. The Government has spent a huge fortune to build a host of airports for better connectivity.

Currently, there are four international and three domestic airports in Tamil Nadu and one private aerodrome. If you are planning to travel to this charismatic state, this detailed guide on airports in Tamil Nadu might come in handy.

All the airports in Tamil Nadu are strategically built to improve inter and intra-city transportation and connectivity. One of the world's busiest airports, Chennai International Airport, is in this state.

Note: The services and other factors keep changing frequently. So, please verify all information before planning your trip.

1. Chennai International Airport (MAA), Chennai

Chennai International Airport is Asia's 47th busiest international airport and the 4th busiest in India after Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Located within 19.8 km from the city centre of Chennai, this airport initiated operations in 1912. It is also the closest airport if you are looking for an airport near Tamil Nadu.

• Address - Airport Rd, Meenambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 60002
• ICAO Code - VOMM
• IATA Code - MAA
• Category - International airport
• Terminals -
  • The oldest terminal, Terminal 1, is used for cargo services.
  • Terminals 3 and 4 are used for domestic and international passenger flights.
• Operator - Airports Authority of India
• Services & Amenities Available -
  • 5 domestic and international lounges, out of which TFS Travel Club Lounge is open 24X7
  • Lost and Found department
  • Medical and health scan facilities
  • Child care room
  • Currency exchange

2. Madurai International Airport (VOMD), Madurai

Regarding passenger handling capacity, Madurai International Airport comes in the 4th position in Tamil Nadu. Previously, the airfield was used by Royal Air Force during World War II in 1942, and in 1957 the Government established the airport. Situated within 19 km from Madurai, this airport handles both international and domestic flights regularly.

• Address - Airports Authority of India, Madurai Airport, Madurai 625022, Tamil Nadu, India
• ICAO Code - IXM
• IATA Code - VOMD
• Category - International Airport
• Terminals - There are two terminals.
  • Terminal 1 is used to serve domestic and international flights.
  • Terminal 2, the old terminal, caters to private and cargo jets.
• Operator - Airport Authority of India
• Services & Amenities Available
  • Parking Capacity Of 333 Passenger Vehicles
  • Lost And Found Dept.
  • First Aid Room

3. Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ), Tiruchirappalli

Strategically built on the Tiruchirappalli-Pudukkottai National Highway, Tiruchirappalli International Airport is just 5km from the city centre. It commenced operations in 1936. Also known as Trichy Airport, it is Tamil Nadu's 2nd largest and 10th busiest airport in India.

• Address - Old Terminal Building, Trichy Airport, Thirunagar, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620007
• ICAO Code - VOTR
• IATA Code - TRZ
• Category - International Public Airport
• Terminals - There are two terminals at the airport. 
  • Terminal 1 for both international and domestic flights.
  • Terminal 2 is designed specifically for cargo.
• Operator - Airports Authority of India
• Services & Amenities Available
  • Services for Physically Disabled Passengers
  • Wheelchairs
  • On-Call First Aid
  • Flemingo Duty-Free Shops at the Arrival and Departure Halls

4. Coimbatore International Airport (CJB), Coimbatore

Coimbatore International Airport is situated about a 13 km distance from Peelamedu. It is the 19th busiest airport for domestic and international passenger flights and the 14th for cargo. The airport got its international status from the Government on October 2, 2012. It has a runway of approximately 9,760 feet and is large enough to accommodate bigger aircraft.

• Address - Airport Road, Peelamedu - Pudur Main Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641014
• ICAO Code - VOCB
• IATA Code - CJB
• Category - Customs Airport
• Operator - Airports Authority of India
• Terminals - Only one terminal serves domestic and international flights, with connections to Sharjah and Singapore. It also handles charter aircraft to Jeddah during the Hajj pilgrimage.
• Services & Amenities Available -
  • Currency Exchange
  • First Aid Room
  • Tourist Information Centre
  • Lost & Found Department

5. Tuticorin Airport (TCR), Tuticorin

Tuticorin Airport, also known as Thoothukudi Airport, was established in 1992. This airport will soon be developed as the domestic airport in Tamil Nadu. The domestic airport can handle around 72 passengers in the busiest hours. If you want to travel to other Southern states, this is one of the best airports to fly from.

• Address - Tuticorin Airport, Airport Road, Vagaikulam, Tamil Nadu 628103
• ICAO Code - VOTK
• IATA Code - TCR
• Category - Domestic Airport
• Terminals - Tuticorin Airport has a single terminal that can accommodate 72 people at a time.
• Operator - Airports Authority of India
• Services & Amenities Available
  • Baggage handling
  • Wheelchair facilities for the disabled
  • Special baggage handling facilities for senior citizens

6. Salem Airport (SXV), Salem

About 15 km from the city centre, Salem Airport in Kamalapuram was established in April 1993. The domestic airport handles about 100 passengers daily. The airport also includes a pilot training academy and two flying schools.

• Address - Airport Road, Kamalapuram, Tamil Nadu 636309
• ICAO Code - VOSM
• IATA Code - SXV
• Category - Domestic Airport
• Terminals - The Salem airport has a single domestic terminal with a passenger handling capacity of 50 during peak hours.
• Operator - Airport Authority of India
• Services & Amenities Available
  • Baggage services
  • Wheelchairs for the disabled
  • Duty-free shops

7. Puducherry Airport (PNY), Puducherry

Puducherry Airport, also known as Pondicherry Airport, started operating as an airfield for charter flights in 1989. Situated at a distance of 3.5 km from the centre of Puducherry, it currently operates only domestic flights. Government plans to expand its runway from 1502 metres to 2000 metres.

• Address - XR87+3W8, Lawspet, Puducherry, 605008
• ICAO Code - VOPC
• IATA Code - PNY
• Category - Domestic Airport
• Terminals - Pondicherry Airport only has one domestic terminal for arrival and departure flights. During peak hours, the new terminal building can accommodate 300 people.
• Operator - Airports Authority of India
• Services & Amenities Available
  • Mobile charging station
  • Baggage trolleys and conveyors
  • Wheelchair facilities for disabled passengers
  • Tourist Information Centre.

8. Hosur Aerodrome, Belagondanahalli

Hosur Aerodrome is a private airfield in Belagondapalli, Tamil Nadu, India. Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited (TAAL) was India's first private sector company that started manufacturing General Aviation aircraft in this airfield established in 1994.

• Address - MQ77+WMQ, Taneja Aerospace Road, Belagondanahalli, Tamil Nadu 635110
• ICAO Code - VO95
• IATA Code - HSR
• Category - Private Airfield
• Terminal - None
• Operator - Taneja Aerospace and Aviation
• Services & Amenities Available
  • One asphalt runway
  • Three hangars used for general and commercial aviation aircraft

9. New Chennai Parandur Airport

Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) plans to establish Parandur Airport in Chennai. The airport is projected to be complete and operational by 2028. The airport will be supposedly connected with the Bangalore-Chennai Expressway.

Apart from the airports and airfields discussed in this blog, there are plans by the Government for more airports to improve transportation and connectivity. If you are planning a trip to or from Tamil Nadu, you might find this blog on airports in Tamil Nadu useful.