Coimbatore is Tamil Nadu’s second city in economic terms — the Manchester of South India, as it is known, for its concentration of textile mills, spinning units, pump manufacturing, engineering workshops, and a startup ecosystem growing around its network of engineering colleges. It is also the gateway to the Nilgiris — Ooty, Coonoor, and Kodaikanal — and to the Anamalai Hills and the Palakkad Gap that connects Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Coimbatore International Airport at Peelamedu — IATA code CJB, ICAO code VOCB — handles 34,20,745 passengers annually (2025–26), carries 13,176 tonnes of cargo, and connects western Tamil Nadu to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Dubai, Singapore, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. A ₹2,000 crore new terminal near Neelambur is planned at 75,000 square metres — over four times the current facility — targeting 10 million annual capacity. An interim ₹13 crore Security Hold Area expansion was launched in February 2026.
Quick Overview: Coimbatore International Airport
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Coimbatore International Airport |
| Location | Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – 641014 |
| Airport Type | Public — International |
| IATA Code | CJB |
| ICAO Code | VOCB |
| Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Focus City for | IndiGo |
| Established | 1940 (civil aerodrome); international status 2012 |
| Area | 420.33 acres |
| Terminal Area | 16,400 sq. metres (single integrated terminal) |
| Check-in Counters | 24 |
| Immigration Counters | 12 |
| Customs Counters | 4 |
| Security Check Booths | 6 |
| Runway Designation | 05/23 |
| Runway Length | 2,990 m × 45 m (9,480 ft) |
| ILS | CAT-I (runway 23) |
| Solar Plant | 1 MW (commissioned 2016) |
| Elevation | 400 m / 1,311 ft AMSL |
| Coordinates | 11°01′36″N, 77°02′30″E |
| Distance from City Centre | ~10–11 km northeast |
| Distance from Ooty | ~85 km |
| Passengers (2025–26) | 34,20,745 (+5.2% YoY) |
| Aircraft Movements (2025–26) | 22,462 (+2.9% YoY) |
| Cargo Tonnage (2025–26) | 13,176.3 tonnes (+8.5% YoY) |
| Interim Expansion | ₹13 crore SHA expansion (+375 passenger capacity); launched February 2026 |
| New Terminal | ₹2,000 crore; 75,000 sq. metres near Neelambur; 10 million annual capacity |
| Current Airlines | IndiGo, Air India, Air Arabia, SpiceJet |
| International Routes | Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Muscat |
Coimbatore Airport Location: Peelamedu, the Kongu Nadu Gateway
Coimbatore International Airport is located in Peelamedu, approximately 10 to 11 kilometres northeast of Coimbatore city centre. The address is Airport Road, Peelamedu-Pudur Main Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641014. The coordinates are 11°01′36″N, 77°02′30″E, at an elevation of 400 metres above sea level — considerably higher than coastal Tamil Nadu airports, reflecting Coimbatore’s Deccan plateau position at the foot of the Western Ghats.
The airport’s catchment is unusually wide for a city Coimbatore’s size. Ooty (Udhagamandalam) is approximately 85 km north through the Nilgiris — the mountain railway town that was once the summer capital of the Madras Presidency. Coonoor, Kotagiri, Gudalur, Valparai, and Pollachi are all within 1 to 3 hours by road. Palakkad in Kerala — gateway to the Palakkad Gap through the Western Ghats — is approximately 55 km west. This hill station and cross-border catchment gives CJB a leisure travel demand stream separate from its industrial base.
The industrial catchment is equally significant. Coimbatore’s pump manufacturing sector (Coimbatore is called the Pump City of India), textile machinery, spinning mills, automotive components, and pharmaceutical units generate executive aviation demand that sustains the Gulf and Singapore routes used by Kongu Nadu’s large NRI business community.
Coimbatore Airport Code: IATA CJB and ICAO VOCB
The IATA code is CJB and the ICAO code is VOCB. CJB is used across all airline booking platforms for Coimbatore — search “Coimbatore” or “CJB” for flights. VOCB places it in the VO southern India block. The airport’s 2,990-metre runway (9,480 feet) supports all narrow-body jets and some wide-body aircraft — enabling the international routes to Dubai, Singapore, and London that have been discussed as future additions.
Coimbatore Airport Terminal: Single Integrated Building, Expanding
The existing terminal at Coimbatore Airport covers 16,400 square metres — a single integrated building handling both domestic and international operations. It has 24 check-in counters, 12 immigration counters, 4 customs counters, and 6 security check booths. Domestic and international sections are within the same structure, connected internally without the need for separate terminal transfers.
The domestic departure area has modern check-in counters, security screening, a post-security lounge accessible via eligible credit cards, Priority Pass, and walk-in payment, food outlets serving South Indian and café fare, and boarding gates. The international section has immigration and customs processing, duty-free shopping, an Ayurvedic products shop, and dedicated waiting areas.
February 2026 Interim Expansion: Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu launched interim works on 20 February 2026. The domestic Security Hold Area was expanded by 920 square metres — raising capacity from 675 to 1,050 passengers simultaneously. New passenger amenities inaugurated alongside include the Udan Yatri Cafe (affordable refreshments), an AVSAR outlet promoting local Kovai Kora cotton products, a kids zone, and a flybrary where passengers can read while waiting. Total cost: approximately ₹13 crore.
New Terminal Project — ₹2,000 Crore: The central government approved ₹2,000 crore for a new integrated terminal near Neelambur (Phase 1). The new terminal will cover 75,000 square metres — over four times the current facility — with 14 new aircraft parking bays and capacity for 4,200 peak-hour passengers, raising annual capacity to 10 million. Land acquisition for the new terminal site was ongoing as of mid-2026.
Coimbatore Airport Connectivity: IndiGo Focus City With Gulf and Southeast Asia Access
By Air (Domestic): IndiGo operates CJB as a focus city with the highest domestic frequency — connecting Coimbatore to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Goa, Guwahati, and other cities. Air India serves Delhi and Mumbai. SpiceJet also operates domestic routes. The Bengaluru and Chennai routes are particularly high-frequency given their proximity and business connectivity.
By Air (International): International services connect CJB to Dubai (IndiGo, Air Arabia), Sharjah (Air Arabia), Abu Dhabi, Singapore (IndiGo), Kuala Lumpur, Doha, and Muscat. The Gulf routes serve Coimbatore’s large NRI business community. Singapore serves the Southeast Asia industrial corridor. Confirm current schedules before booking — winter and summer timetables differ.
By Road: Taxis, Ola, and Uber serve the 10 to 11 km airport-to-city route in 25 to 35 minutes. TNSTC buses connect from Gandhipuram bus stand at ₹20 to ₹50. Ooty is approximately 85 km (2.5 to 3 hours via Mettupalayam ghat road). Palakkad is approximately 55 km (1 to 1.5 hours on NH-544). Mysuru is approximately 185 km.
By Rail: Coimbatore Junction — one of Tamil Nadu’s busiest railway stations — is approximately 12 km from the airport. Trains connect to Chennai (approximately 7 hours by express), Bengaluru (approximately 8 hours), Kochi, Madurai, and other cities.
Coimbatore Airport Amenities: Expanding Its Range
The terminal provides duty-free shopping, food courts with South Indian breakfast items (idli, dosa, filter coffee), café chains, an Ayurvedic shop, the new Udan Yatri Cafe (affordable snacks), Kovai Kora cotton AVSAR outlet, a kids zone, and a flybrary. The lounge area serves eligible credit card, Priority Pass, and walk-in passengers. A 1 MW solar plant powers part of the airport’s energy needs. Free trolleys, currency exchange, ATMs, child care, medical facilities, and free information kiosks are available. Parking is organised near the terminal with free drop-off up to 7 minutes.
FAQs: Coimbatore International Airport
Q1. What is the IATA code for Coimbatore Airport?
The IATA code is CJB and the ICAO code is VOCB. The airport is at Peelamedu, approximately 10 to 11 km northeast of Coimbatore city centre.
Q2. What is the new terminal project at Coimbatore Airport?
A ₹2,000 crore new integrated terminal near Neelambur will cover 75,000 square metres — over four times the current 16,400 sq. metres — with 14 new aircraft bays and annual capacity of 10 million passengers. Land acquisition was ongoing as of mid-2026.
Q3. Which international destinations are served from Coimbatore Airport?
Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, and Muscat as of mid-2026. Air Arabia and IndiGo are the primary international carriers. Confirm current schedules before booking.
Q4. How far is Coimbatore Airport from Ooty?
Approximately 85 km north via the Mettupalayam ghat road — about 2.5 to 3 hours by taxi. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (UNESCO Heritage) from Mettupalayam to Ooty takes an additional 5 hours by the heritage train.
Q5. What new amenities were added at Coimbatore Airport in February 2026?
The February 2026 launch added a 920 sq. metre Security Hold Area expansion (capacity +375 passengers), Udan Yatri Cafe, AVSAR outlet for local Kovai Kora cotton, a kids zone, and a flybrary for reading while waiting.
