How many international airports in Tamil Nadu?
Tamil Nadu, situated in the southern region of India, holds considerable economic and cultural importance within the nation. Recognized for its extensive history, flourishing industries, and lively tourism, Tamil Nadu also boasts strong air connectivity, encompassing both domestic and international routes. In 2025, Tamil Nadu has four international airports, each catering to specific areas and significantly contributing to the state's global connectivity.
1. Chennai International Airport (MAA)
Location: Tirusulam, about 21 km southwest of Chennai city center.
Chennai International Airport, managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), is the busiest airport in Tamil Nadu. It also functions as a major gateway to South India, serving both domestic and international passengers.
Key Highlights:
- Terminals: The airport features distinct terminals for domestic and international flights, and it's undergoing modernization to enhance infrastructure and improve the experience for passengers. A significant expansion project, known as the T2 extension, is expected to be completed in 2025, adding capacity for approximately 10 million additional passengers per year. This new terminal is designed to alleviate congestion from Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminals 3 and 4 (international), offering modern facilities and smoother passenger flow
- Connectivity: The airport provides direct flights to destinations including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Frankfurt, London, and various cities across Southeast Asia. As of 2025, new international routes have been added, including direct flights to Melbourne (operated by Air India since late 2024), Paris (seasonal flights by Air France), and Muscat (by SalamAir), further strengthening Chennai’s global connectivity
- Passenger Volume: It accommodates more than 20 million passengers each year, positioning it as one of the leading airports in India
Besides being a travel hub, Chennai Airport is crucial for cargo operations, exporting significant volumes of electronics, textiles, and automotive parts.
2. Coimbatore International Airport (CJB)
Location: Peelamedu, about 13 km from Coimbatore city center.
Upgraded to international status in 2012, Coimbatore International Airport primarily serves western Tamil Nadu and parts of neighboring Kerala.
Key Highlights:
- International Flights: International Flights: Provides flights to locations including Singapore, Sharjah, Dubai, and Kuala Lumpur. Presently, international routes are restricted, featuring direct flights primarily from carriers like Scoot and Air India Express (Singapore), Air Arabia (Sharjah), IndiGo and Air India Express (Dubai), and AirAsia (Kuala Lumpur). Flight schedules are frequently infrequent, with numerous routes offering service only a few times per week instead of on a daily basis. These international operations primarily serve business travelers, migrant workers, and those visiting friends and relatives (VFR) rather than supporting significant tourism volume.
- Growth: Passenger numbers have consistently risen, fueled by the area’s industrial expansion and thriving textile, engineering, and IT industries
- Facilities: Boasts contemporary amenities and includes plans for runway enlargement to handle bigger aircraft. The runway is being extended from 9,760 feet to approximately 12,500 feet, enabling the airport to accommodate larger, long-haul aircraft and potentially attract new international routes in the future
Coimbatore Airport plays a vital role in boosting both business and tourism in the region.
3. Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ)
Location: Near Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) city, about 5 km south of the city center.
Popularly known as Trichy Airport, this facility has become a significant hub for flights between Tamil Nadu and Southeast Asia.
Key Highlights:
- International Connectivity: Provides regular flight services to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Dubai, and Doha. Major airlines operating these routes include Scoot (Singapore), AirAsia (Kuala Lumpur), SriLankan Airlines (Colombo), and Air India Express and IndiGo for destinations in the Middle East such as Dubai and Doha
- Passenger Traffic: Ranks as the second busiest international airport in Tamil Nadu, following Chennai. Currently, the airport handles approximately 2.2 to 2.4 million passengers annually, but the existing terminal is operating over capacity during peak times
- Cargo Services: Manages significant cargo shipments, primarily serving expatriates and the business sector.
- Infrastructure Development: A new Integrated Terminal Building is under construction, slated for completion by the end of 2025. This project will expand the airport´s capacity, growing from approximately 2 million to 4 million passengers annually. The new terminal will include contemporary facilities, enlarged check-in areas and baggage handling systems, along with improved passenger amenities, substantially reducing congestion and improving the overall travel experience.
Trichy Airport is a preferred choice for passengers from central and southern Tamil Nadu due to its convenient location and extensive international connections.
4. Madurai International Airport (IXM)
Location: Avaniyapuram, about 12 km south of Madurai city.
Madurai International Airport serves the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, including popular pilgrimage sites and tourist attractions.
Key Highlights:
- International Routes: Provides flight services to international destinations including Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai. International flight frequency is still restricted, and most routes only operate a few times a week instead of daily. Numerous flights are seasonal, frequently modified to accommodate peak pilgrimage needs and overall travel patterns, especially for those visiting the historic Meenakshi Temple and nearby religious locations.
- Historical Significance: Madurai's historical importance, particularly the presence of the iconic Meenakshi Temple, draws a significant number of international tourists, thereby driving the need for international flight operations.
- Infrastructure: Is undergoing continuous development, with ongoing plans for terminal expansion and enhancements to passenger amenities. Furthermore, as of the year 2025, proposed new international routes to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Jeddah are being considered. These routes currently await regulatory approval and are not yet operating regularly. The expansion of these services is intended to enhance connectivity and accommodate rising demand from both the tourism sector and the labor migration sector
Madurai Airport is crucial for connecting southern Tamil Nadu directly to international destinations.
Conclusion
Tamil Nadu's four international airports—Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, and Madurai—work together to improve the state’s connection to the world. Catering to business travel, tourism, and visits to family overseas, these airports ensure Tamil Nadu is an easily accessible and globally linked region within India.
Chennai International Airport continues to be the state's largest airport by passenger volume, processing over 20 million passengers each year. The other airports, despite being smaller, are important regionally: Coimbatore International Airport handles approximately 2.5 to 3 million passengers annually, Tiruchirappalli International Airport manages around 2.2 to 2.4 million passengers (currently exceeding its capacity and undergoing expansion preparations), and Madurai International Airport serves between 1.3 to 1.5 million passengers each year. These statistics demonstrate Chennai's leading position while emphasizing the crucial role smaller airports play in connecting various areas of Tamil Nadu to international locations.
