The Indian state of Tamil Nadu has four international, and six domestic or private airports.[1][2] Chennai International Airport, which is the fifth busiest airport by passenger traffic in India, is a major international airport and the main gateway to the state.[3] Other international airports in the state include Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirapalli.[2] Domestic flights are operational to certain airports like Thoothukudi and Salem while flights are planned to be introduced to more domestic airports by the UDAN scheme of Government of India.[4]
The Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force operates three air bases in the state Sulur, Tambaram and Thanjavur.[5] The Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy operates airbases at Uchipuli and Chennai.[6] The Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy operates an airbase at Arakkonam.[7] The Indian Coast Guard operates an air station in Chennai.[8]
The aviation history of the state began in 1910, when Giacomo D'Angelis built the first powered flight in Asia and tested it in Island Grounds.[9] In 1915, Tata Air Mail started an airmail service between Karachi and Madras, marking the beginning of civil aviation in India.[10] On 15 October 1932, J. R. D. Tata flew a Puss Moth aircraft carrying air mail from Karachi to Bombay's Juhu Airstrip and the flight was continued to Madras piloted by aviator Nevill Vintcent marking the first scheduled commercial flight.[11][12]
Civilian airports[edit | edit source]
| Airport | Location | IATA Code | ICAO Code | Type | Operational | Owned/operated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai International Airport | Chennai | MAA | VOMM | International | Yes | Airports Authority of India[13] |
| Coimbatore International Airport | Coimbatore | CJB | VOCB | International | Yes | |
| Hosur Aerodrome | Hosur | VO95 | State/Private | Limited[lower-alpha 1] | Taneja Aerospace[14] | |
| Madurai Airport | Madurai | IXM | VOMD | International | Yes | Airports Authority of India[13] |
| Neyveli Airport | Neyveli | NVY | VONY | State/Private | No | Neyveli Lignite Corporation[15] |
| Salem Airport | Salem | SXV | VOSM | Domestic | Yes | Airports Authority of India[13] |
| Thanjavur Airport[lower-alpha 2] | Thanjavur | TJV | VOTJ | Domestic | No | Airports Authority of India and Ministry of Defence |
| Thoothukudi Airport | Thoothukudi | TCR | VOTK | Domestic | Yes | Airports Authority of India[13] |
| Tiruchirappalli International Airport | Tiruchirappalli | TRZ | VOTR | International | Yes | |
| Vellore Airport | Vellore | VOVR | Domestic | No |
Military airbases[edit | edit source]
| Airbase | Location | IATA Code | ICAO Code | Owned/operated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coast Guard Air Station[8] | Chennai[lower-alpha 3] | MAA | VOMM | Indian Coast Guard |
| INS Parundu[6] | Uchipuli | VORM | Indian Navy | |
| INS Rajali[7] | Arakkonam | VOAR | ||
| Naval Air Enclave[6] | Chennai[lower-alpha 4] | MAA | VOMM | |
| Sulur Air Force Station[5] | Coimbatore | VOSX | Indian Air Force | |
| Tambaram Air Force Station[5] | Chennai | VOTX | ||
| Thanjavur Air Force Station[5] | Thanjavur | TJV | VOTJ |
Defunct[edit | edit source]
| Airport | Location |
|---|---|
| Chettinad Airport[16] | Karaikudi |
| Cholavaram Airstrip[17] | Chennai |
| Kayathar Airport[18] | Kayathar |
| Ulundurpettai Airport[19] | Ulundurpettai |
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Used for maintenance, repair and overhaul operations
- ↑ Though designated to operate civilian flights as well, the airport is currently used exclusively by the Indian Air Force.
- ↑ The Coast Guard Air Station operates in the premises of the Chennai International Airport and shares the facilities.
- ↑ The Naval Air Enclave operates in the premises of the Chennai International Airport and shares the facilities.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "List of Indian Airports (NOCAS)" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "List of Indian Airports" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
- ↑ Traffic Statistics, 2024-25 (PDF) (Report). Airport Authority of India. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ↑ Regional Connectivity Scheme (PDF) (Report). Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Indian Air Force Commands". Indian Air Force. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "East organisation". Indian Coast Guard. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ History of Indian Air Force (PDF) (Report). Government of India. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ↑ "100 years of civil aviation" (Press release). Government of India. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ↑ Higham, Robin (1961). Britain's Imperial Air Routes, 1918 to 1939. Shoe String Press. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-208-00171-9.
- ↑ De Havilland Gazette (Report). De Havilland Aircraft Company. 1953. p. 103.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "Southern Region Airports". Airports Authority of India. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ↑ "Taneja Aerospace and Aviation". Centre for Aviation. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ "9-seater air taxi to fly between Neyveli, Chennai". DT Next. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
...Neyveli Airport in the Cuddalore district, owned by the Neyveli Lignite Corporation...
- ↑ "Chettinad Group ready to support efforts for mini airport". The Hindu. 27 February 2017. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ Kabirdoss, Yogesh; Ayyappan, V. (28 December 2018). "IAF notice: Squatters near Sholavaram airstrip get IAF notice". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ Staff Reporter (2 August 2016). "Historic airfield seems to be no man's land". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ "Land on the runway of memories". The New Indian Express. 4 February 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
