Coimbatore International Airport


Coimbatore International Airport is the primary airport serving the city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. It is located within the city at Peelamedu, about from the center of the city. It is the 18th busiest airport in India for passengers handled, 18th busiest for total aircraft movement and 15th busiest for cargo handled. This airport is second largest airport in the state for Terminal Area, runway length, aircraft movement, passenger traffic and cargo after Chennai International Airport in Tamil Nadu. The airport is served by five Indian and three foreign carriers providing direct connectivity to 12 domestic and 3 International destinations.

History

The Prime Minister of India declared the government's intention to upgrade Coimbatore Airport to International status in a meeting with senior ministers on 6 June 2012 and the Union Cabinet granted it the status of international airport on 2 October 2012.

Infrastructure

The airport has one runway that is in length extended from to accommodate larger aircraft. In 2008, the airport was expanded at a cost of with aero bridges, parking bays and Instrument Landing System. In 2010, new domestic and international divisions were added to the already existing common terminal.
The airport has a parking management system with a capacity to accommodate nearly 300 cars. There are two hangars in the airport; one provides housing for the planes of Coimbatore Flying Club, the other provides shelter for private carriers.
The further proposed expansion of the airport includes extension of runway to to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and construction of a parallel taxiway to the runway to minimize runway occupancy time and turnaround time of aircraft. Construction of two additional parking bays and two new aerobridges are presently underway.

Airlines and Destinations

Connectivity

The airport is located on Avinashi Road about from the central bus station. Frequent bus services are available from Gandhipuram central bus station and also from other auxiliary bus stations at Singanallur and Ukkadam. The airport is from the major railway station, Coimbatore Junction and the nearest rail stations are at Singanallur and Peelamedu. Cab services, call taxis and auto rickshaws provide 24 hours commuting services to the airport.

Incidents