Coimbatore Airport Expansion Takes Off: AAI Secures Land, Kicks Off Preliminary Works

The much-anticipated expansion of the Coimbatore International Airport is set to gain momentum, as the the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has officially taken possession of approximately 470 acres of land, and started preliminary works.

The AAI took possession of 470.17 acres of land and acknowledged the handing over process on 28 January, reports The Hindu.

In total, 632.95 acres have been earmarked for the project, comprising 468.83 acres of patta land, 134.32 acres of defense land, and 29.80 acres of government poramboke land.

This vast expanse stretches across 23 blocks in four villages—Singanallur, Uppilippalayam, Kalapatti, and Irugur.

With land acquisition completed, the AAI is set to undertake significant development works, including the much-anticipated extension of the runway from 9,500 feet to 12,500 feet, enabling the airport to accommodate larger aircraft and enhance international connectivity.

Located in Peelamedu, just 11 kilometers from Coimbatore’s city center, the airport has been struggling to keep pace with its surging passenger traffic.

As footfall skyrocketed to 30 lakh in 2024—far exceeding the terminal’s current capacity of 20 lakh—various stakeholders have been calling for an urgent revamp of the facility to meet the growing demands of travelers.

The numbers tell a compelling story of rapid growth. In 2021, international passenger traffic stood at 51,934, soaring to 1,71,052 in 2022, 2,09,617 in 2023, and an impressive 2,35,582 in 2024.

Domestic travel has also witnessed a meteoric rise, with passenger numbers jumping from 12,21,586 in 2021 to a staggering 28,28,296 in 2024. With projections indicating that air traffic will cross 35 lakh in 2025, the expansion of Coimbatore International Airport is not just a necessity—it is an inevitability.