Coimbatore Airport Expansion Gets Major Boost as TN Government Transfers Land to AAI

The Tamil Nadu government today transferred 470 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the long-awaited expansion of Coimbatore International Airport. It is one of the biggest milestones that this project has experienced since the first proposal emerged in the year 2021.

The total area identified for the expansion of the airport is 632.95 acres, which includes 468.83 acres of patta land, 134.32 acres of defense land, and 29.80 acres of government poramboke land. Of this, AAI has now received 470.17 acres, which includes 449.59 acres of leasehold land and 20.58 acres of government surplus land.

The expansion project faced delays after the Tamil Nadu government, in the initial phase of its decision to hand over land, imposed conditions that were unacceptable to the central government. That led to a standoff, thus temporarily halting the progress. However, by August 2024, the state government agreed to provide land without any conditions, which will pave the way for the project to move ahead.

The expansion is going to play a very important role in boosting connectivity and economic growth for Coimbatore and the Kongu region. Both industry leaders and air passengers have been demanding to speed up the expansion of the airport.

With the handing over of the land now formal, AAI is readying steps ahead of her to include measurement of the land and the perimeter wall. The work on more than 130 acres of protected lands has already been allowed, while the process of taking the rest of it is almost complete.

The people of Coimbatore and the surrounding region are waiting to witness the much-needed improved upgrade of the airport, being ambitious in welcoming it. The project is in its takeoff phase at the international airport in the city, where flying and trade facilities are destined to grow with potential in the region.