Explained: What is the Coimbatore International Airport expansion plan, and why is it needed?

The story so far: The long-standing demand for the expansion and modernisation of the Coimbatore International Airport has gained momentum, with land acquisition nearing completion and work for regulatory clearances and interim upgrades for the existing infrastructure under way. Serving as a key gateway to western Tamil Nadu and the industrial hub of the Kongu region, the airport is awaiting transformation at ₹2,200 crore. The project envisages constructing a modern terminal and expanding the runway for wide-body aircraft operations for more international destinations to cater to the projected surge in passenger traffic and cargo movement over the next decade.

Why is the expansion necessary?

Coimbatore International Airport has witnessed substantial operational growth over the last decade. According to data from the Airports Authority of India, the passenger traffic of the airport increased from about 13.2 lakh in 2014-15 to 34.2 lakh in 2025-26, registering a growth of 159% over the past 12 years. Cargo operations have also expanded, rising from 10,000 tonnes to nearly 15,000 tonnes over the same period. The peak hour passenger footfall is exceeding the existing 18,000-square-metre terminal’s design capacity. The airport is projected to witness an annual footfall of 1.5 crore passengers in the next 20 years. The existing runway (05/23), 2,990 metres long and 45 metres wide, constrains the airport from handling wide-body aircraft essential for long-haul international flights to key destinations such as Dubai and the West. The airport is currently operating international flights to Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah and domestic services to Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Goa. The airport had an arrival of 4,954 passengers (28 flights) and a departure of 4,928 passengers (28 flights) as on August 20.

How did the expansion project take off?

Talks for the expansion of Coimbatore International Airport began about two decades ago and efforts commenced in 2010 with a Government Order issued for the acquisition of land. The State government began the process with a plan to acquire over 600 acres. The acquisition process faced hurdles as many owners demanded better rates for their land as against the rate fixed by the State government – ₹1,500 per sq. ft. for residential plots and ₹900 per sq. ft. for agricultural plots – resulting in court litigation that lasted several years. Ownership disputes also delayed the land acquisition process, for which the State government allocated around ₹2,100 crore.

What is the current status of land acquisition?

As per Revenue Department records, acquisition of only 1.77 acres out of 633 acres was pending as on August 19, 2026. The 633 acres are spread across 23 blocks in Irugur, Neelambur, Kalapatti, Singanallur, and Uppilipalayam villages, covering 468.83 acres of patta land, 134.32 acres of defence land, and 29.80 acres of government poramboke land. The Revenue Department made substantial progress by disbursing compensation to the landowners. The State government gave the AAI permission to enter upon 472.325 acres of land in August 2024. The AAI took possession of 470.17 acres of land in January 2025 and started the preliminary work, including the construction of the compound wall. With major ground-level encumbrances resolved, the AAI is awaiting final central approvals and Union Cabinet clearance to initiate the formal tendering process.

What does the ₹2,200-crore master plan include?

The AAI’s plan is to modernise and expand the airport at a cost of ₹2,200 crore, including the construction of a state-of-the-art terminal building sprawling over 75,000 square metres – four times bigger than the present terminal. The new terminal is designed to reflect the local history, culture, and architectural heritage of the city. The plan also includes the crucial extension of the existing 2,990-metre runway to 3,810 metres, enabling wide-body commercial aircraft to land and take off safely, boosting international connectivity and air freight movement. A master plan attached to the tender for the construction of a precast boundary wall for the airport gives glimpses of an integrated passenger terminal building that will come up on the south side of the existing one. An air traffic control-cum-technical building, a cargo terminal, a new approach road, around 10 Multiple Apron Ramp Systems (MARS) with aerobridges, a multi-level parking area with a food court, a bus stand, midscale and upscale hotels, a taxiway, and other passenger amenities are also mentioned.

How are immediate passenger needs being addressed?

Recognising the immediate requirement to handle the existing passenger traffic, the Ministry of Civil Aviation began interim expansion work on the existing infrastructure at ₹13 crore in February 2026. This entails the reconfiguration and construction of an additional security hold area in the existing terminal building, expanding it by 920 square metres. With this, the airport will be able to accommodate 375 passengers in addition to the present capacity of 675 passengers, bringing the total simultaneous holding capacity to 1,050 passengers.

What lies ahead?

According to Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, who visited the airport in February 2026, his Ministry wanted to begin the expansion work within five months and complete it by the end of 2028. The AAI is expected to float the tender for the project after getting custody of the entire land acquired from the State government and receiving the various requisite clearances. The State government is now in the process of acquiring and handing over an additional patch of 7.44 acres of land to connect the proposed new terminal with the Neelambur bypass of the Salem-Kochi Highway.