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Airports in India
TeamAckoFeb 3, 2025
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India, a land of diverse cultures and sprawling landscapes, is home to one of the world's most extensive and dynamic airport networks. With air travel becoming increasingly popular, different airports in India serve as vital gateways connecting cities, states, and nations. Each airport contributes significantly to the country's growing aviation industry, from bustling metropolitan hubs like Delhi and Mumbai to serene regional airstrips in remote areas.
As India embraces modernisation, its airports symbolise progress and link 1.4 billion people across domestic and international destinations while playing a pivotal role in economic growth and cultural exchange. In this article, we will explore the different airports in India and distinguish them in various states of the diverse country.
Contents
- Domestic and International Airports in India
- Here is a List of the State Airports in India
- 1. Kerala
- 2. Goa
- 3. Rajasthan
- 4. Karnataka
- 5. Maharashtra
- 6. Andhra Pradesh
- 7. Himachal Pradesh
- 8. Uttarakhand
- 9. Assam
- 10. Uttar Pradesh
- 11. Gujarat
- 12. Telangana
- 13. West Bengal
- 14. Punjab
- 15. Delhi
- 16. Odisha
- 17. Bihar
- 18. Madhya Pradesh
- 19. Arunachal Pradesh
- 20. Jharkhand
- 21. Jammu and Kashmir
- 22. Tamil Nadu
- 23. Meghalaya
- 24. Chhattisgarh
- 25. Nagaland
- 26. Manipur
- 27. Ladakh
- 28. Chandigarh
- 29. Mizoram
- 30. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- 31. Tripura
- 32. Daman and Diu
- Final Words
- Frequently Asked Questions Airports in India
Domestic and International Airports in India
There are a total of 487 airports in India, out of which 140 are managed by the Airport Authority of India, including joint venture and private airports. In addition, it includes 21 international airports in India, facilitating travel and trade across the globe.
Some of the busiest international airports include Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, and Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. On the domestic front, regional hubs like Jaipur Airport, Bagdogra Airport, and Lucknow Airport play key roles in enhancing connectivity.
Here is a List of the State Airports in India
India’s airports are spread across its states and union territories, ensuring accessibility to even remote regions. Here is a list of airports in India overviewing in terms of state:
1. Kerala
Kerala has 4 total international airports in India: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Calicut International Airport, and Kannur International Airport. These airports handle a mix of domestic and international flights to cater to heavy passenger traffic, especially from the Middle East.
The airports in Kerala enhance tourism, connecting global travellers to its scenic backwaters, lush greenery, and vibrant culture. In addition, these airports serve as vital gateways for Kerala’s diaspora and bolster the state’s economy through business and trade.
2. Goa
Goa has two major airports, namely Dabolim Airport and the recently inaugurated Manohar International Airport. Dabolim Airport primarily handles domestic flights and international charters, especially from Russia and the UK and is managed by the Indian Navy and AAI.
On the other hand, Manohar International Airport is built with advanced infrastructure and aims to decongest Dabolim and cater to increasing tourist traffic. These airports provide easy access to Goa’s pristine beaches, heritage sites, and vibrant festivals. Furthermore, airports in Goa are strategically important for facilitating business and logistics within the state.
3. Rajasthan
Rajasthan is home to several airports, with Jaipur International Airport making it to the finest list of international airports in India. It is a major gateway for domestic and international tourists visiting the state's famed palaces and forts.
In addition, Udaipur Airport, Jaisalmer Airport and Jodhpur Airport complement Jaipur by catering to travellers visiting these historic cities. These airports in Rajasthan are integral to the state’s tourism-driven economy, connecting it to major cities across India and the world.
4. Karnataka
Karnataka’s Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru is a state-of-the-art facility and one of India’s busiest airports. It serves as a central hub for IT professionals and business travellers. The state also has another airport that makes its way to the list of international airports in India, the Mangalore International Airport. It connects the coastal region to international destinations like Dubai and Doha.
Moreover, the Belagavi, Hubli, and Mysuru airports enhance regional connectivity, supporting local industries and tourism. These airports in Karnataka are crucial for Karnataka’s economy, linking the state’s diverse regions and enabling smooth transport of goods and people.
5. Maharashtra
Maharashtra’s aviation network is spearheaded by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, a world-class facility and one of the busiest in India. The Pune International Airport caters to the region’s IT and automobile industries, while Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is a major cargo hub, known for its strategic location.
In addition, the Aurangabad Airport connects tourists to UNESCO heritage sites like Ajanta and Ellora Caves, making it an entry on the domestic airports in India list. The airports in Maharashtra help drive the state’s economy and support its industrial, tourism, and cultural sectors.
6. Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh boasts several airports, including Visakhapatnam International Airport, Vijayawada International Airport, and Tirupati Airport. The Visakhapatnam Airport is the busiest in the state, handling international and domestic flights.
In addition, the Vijayawada Airport serves as a key hub for the state's capital region, while Tirupati Airport caters to pilgrims visiting the renowned Tirumala temple. These airports are vital for promoting Andhra Pradesh tourism, trade, and IT industries. The airports in Andhra Pradesh connect the state to major Indian cities and select international destinations, fostering economic growth.
7. Himachal Pradesh
The mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh has the famous Kangra Airport, also known as Dharamshala Airport. It also hosts the Shimla and Kullu domestic airports, making their way to the list of domestic airports in India.
These airports are critical for tourism in Himachal Pradesh, a major contributor to the state’s economy. The airports in Himachal Pradesh also serve as lifelines for residents in remote areas, providing quick access during emergencies and natural disasters.
8. Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand has two main airports, namely Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and Pantnagar Airport. The Jolly Grant Airport is a domestic airport in India that serves as the primary gateway to destinations like Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Mussoorie, catering to adventure seekers and pilgrims.
On the other hand, Pantnagar Airport is located near the industrial city of Rudrapur and supports business activities and local connectivity. These airports in Uttarakhand’s strategic location make them critical during natural calamities, serving as hubs for disaster relief operations in the Himalayan region.
9. Assam
Assam, the entry gate of Northeast India, has one of the best international airports in the region, the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. It is the key hub for travellers visiting the region to explore its beauty and handles domestic and international flights.
In addition, the airports in Assam include multiple domestic airports, namely, Dibrugarh Airport, Silchar Airport and Jorhat Airport. These airports enhance connectivity across Assam and neighbouring states, facilitating trade and tourism.
10. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has a vast aviation network led by Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi. Moreover, Lucknow Airport connects the state to major Indian cities and the Middle East, while Varanasi Airport is a gateway for pilgrims and tourists visiting the holy city.
The state also features several other domestic airports to enhance regional connectivity, such as Prayagraj Airport, Agra Airport and Kanpur Airport. With the upcoming Jewar Airport near Noida, the airports in Uttar Pradesh aim to become a significant aviation hub.
11. Gujarat
Gujarat’s air connectivity is centred around Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, a major hub for domestic and international flights. The state also hosts the Surat Airport, which caters to the state’s diamond and textile industries, and Vadodara Airport supports business and regional travel.
In addition, the Rajkot Airport and Porbandar Airport enhance connectivity to industrial and coastal regions. These airports in Gujarat are instrumental in supporting trade, tourism, and industrial growth of the state.
12. Telangana
Telangana is home to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, one of the major airports in India. It is a major gateway for IT professionals, business travellers, and tourists. The airport handles domestic and international traffic, with direct flights to Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Its strategic location and modern facilities make it a hub for cargo operations. Furthermore, plans are underway to build additional airports in Telangana to enhance regional connectivity and support the state’s rapidly growing economy.
13. West Bengal
The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata is the major airport in West Bengal and is a major entry point for eastern India. The state also has multiple domestic airports in India, namely Bagdogra Airport and Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, to connect travellers to Darjeeling and nearby areas.
These airports in West Bengal are crucial for the state's economy as they facilitate trade, tourism, and industrial development. In addition, the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is being modernised to facilitate the growing passenger traffic with world-class facilities.
14. Punjab
The northwestern state of Punjab has several airports in India, including Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh are the two major international airports. These airports in Punjab connect the state to international destinations, especially in Canada, the UK, and the Middle East.
In addition, Punjab is the home to Patiala Airport, Bhatinda Airport, Ludhiana Airport (LUH), Ludhiana and Pathankot Airport. These airports offer domestic flight services to travellers and connect to all major hubs in India.
15. Delhi
The Indian capital city is home to one of the busiest airports in the world, the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The airport handles millions of domestic and international passengers annually. It is a major hub for business, tourism, and transit, with world-class amenities and efficient connectivity. In addition, the airport is a key centre for cargo operations, supporting Delhi’s position as an economic powerhouse.
In addition, Delhi has the Safdarjung Airport, which is a historical airport with significant importance. The strategic location of Delhi's airports, along with its excellent road and rail connections, makes it a gateway to northern India.
16. Odisha
The Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar is Odisha’s primary airport, handling domestic and limited international flights. The state also has several domestic airports, such as Jharsuguda Airport, Rourkela Airport and Jeypore Airport, to enhance regional connectivity to western Odisha.
These airports in Odisha support the state’s economy by promoting tourism to destinations like Puri and Konark and facilitating trade and industrial growth. Furthermore, the Biju Patnaik International Airport is undergoing expansion to cater to increasing passenger and cargo demand.
17. Bihar
Bihar has several airports, with the Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport being the primary getaway and facilitating domestic and international flights. The airports in Bihar also include multiple domestic airports and defence bases that play an integral part in Bihar’s trade, tourism and security.
In addition, the Gaya International Airport plays a crucial role in promoting religious travel from different parts of the world to this historic city. It caters to Buddhist pilgrims visiting Bodh Gaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
18. Madhya Pradesh
The Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport is Madhya Pradesh's busiest, 8 km from Indore, and provides domestic and limited international flights. Along with airports at Bhopal, Gwalior, and Jabalpur, it plays an important role in regional connectivity.
These airports provide a major impetus to the economy of the state by generating tourism to such sites as Khajuraho and the various wildlife sanctuaries. In addition, these airports in Madhya Pradesh went under development to offer better facilities through new terminals, which can now accommodate large passenger traffic.
19. Arunachal Pradesh
One of the newest airports in India, the Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, was inaugurated in 2022. In addition, the development of regional airports, such as Pasighat, marks a landmark achievement in enhancing connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh.
These airports in Arunachal Pradesh are vital in improving access to remote regions and encouraging tourism and economic development. It enables the state government to attract tourists and support local businesses, creating new growth opportunities.
20. Jharkhand
Several main airports in Jharkhand enhance its connectivity and support economic growth. The Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi is the only international airport that handles domestic and international flights. It acts as a main route connecting the state of Jharkhand to all major cities in India.
Other main domestic airports in Jharkhand are Baba Baidyanath Airport in Deoghar, Sonari Airport in Jamshedpur, and Bokaro Airport, are recently inaugurated to enhance the services. In addition, Sido Kanhu Airport in Dumka accommodates private and military operations.
21. Jammu and Kashmir
There are two major airports in Jammu and Kashmir, the Srinagar International Airport and Jammu Airport. Srinagar Airport, or Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, links the region to Indian cities and international destinations, which has greatly enhanced tourism in Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
Jammu Airport handles domestic flights, making it easier for pilgrims and tourists to visit. Thus, these airports are helping promote economic development, support trade within the region, and get the region integrated into the national economy.
22. Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has an excellent aviation network, where Chennai International Airport plays a major role. It is a major South Indian hub that connects the state to several domestic and international places.
In addition, the Coimbatore International Airport and Tiruchirappalli International Airport support business as well as tourism. On the other hand, the Madurai Airport services local travellers and international travellers alike. These airports in Tamil Nadu collectively are helping the industrial, trading, and tourism sectors of Tamil Nadu in its growth toward the economy.
23. Meghalaya
Shillong Airport, also known as Umroi Airport, is the main airport for Meghalaya and is located about 30 km away from Shillong City. It links the state to major cities such as Kolkata and Guwahati and is an essential airport for tourism and regional growth.
The airport in Meghalaya has been serving since the mid-1970s with expansions to improve its infrastructure and accommodate more passengers. Its location facilitates travel for tourists exploring Meghalaya's natural beauty and supports local trade and economic growth in the region.
24. Chhattisgarh
Swami Vivekananda International Airport in Raipur, Chhattisgarh is the main airport for India. It connects travellers to Indian metro cities and provides international flights to places like Singapore and Dubai. The airport helps boost trade, tourism, and industrial growth in the state.
In addition, the Bilaspur Airport helps improve regional connectivity by enabling local travel and trade. Both airports in Chhattisgarh play an important role in boosting economic growth, tourist inflow, and the transportation of agricultural products.
25. Nagaland
Nagaland currently has one operational airport called Dimapur Airport, which happens to be the state's primary air gateway. It is located about 7 km from Dimapur city and connects Nagaland with major Indian cities such as Kolkata and Dibrugarh.
In addition, the airport in Nagaland offers both passenger travel and cargo services. It is operated by the Airports Authority of India and acts as a vital tourist attraction and trade promotion gateway for the region.
26. Manipur
Bir Tikendrajit International Airport is the first airport in Manipur, about 8 km south of the state capital, Imphal. It used to be known as the Tulihal International Airport and is the second-largest international airport in Northeast India.
The airport in Manipur provides domestic service to cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati, besides offering limited services to international destinations. There is a very significant upgrade project now, including a new terminal building to handle the expected increase in passenger traffic.
27. Ladakh
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Ladakh is an important air gateway that is located in Leh. It is a crucial hub for tourism and military operations. The airport is at an altitude of 3,256 meters, making it one of the highest airports in the world.
It connects Ladakh with major Indian cities like Delhi and Jammu to access the region's stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Strategically located, the airport in Ladakh also supports tourist activities but supports essential logistics in the region to ensure that defence operations are successful.
28. Chandigarh
Chandigarh Airport or Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport is an important flying base in the northern part of India in the capital of Punjab and Haryana. It boasts modern facilities and has scheduled domestic and international flights connecting passengers to various major cities in India as well as worldwide.
The airport in Chandigarh plays a very important role in supporting the region's economy by facilitating trade and tourism while providing essential connectivity for residents and visitors alike.
29. Mizoram
Lengpui Airport is the main aerial gateway for the state of Mizoram, located about 32 km from the capital city of Aizawl. The airport in Mizoram connects the region to major cities like Kolkata and Guwahati and has improved access to the picturesque northeastern state with rolling hills and vibrant culture.
Lengpui Airport has undergone several upgrade processes to enhance facilities in order to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. It plays an important role in promoting tourism and access to Mizoram's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
30. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Veer Savarkar International Airport is located in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is one of the most important airports connecting these beautiful islands to the mainland of India, providing passenger and cargo service to the islands.
The airport in Andaman and Nicobar Islands connects to major cities in the country, such as Chennai, Kolkata, and Delhi, becoming an essential base for tourism in the discovery of its beautiful beaches and rich biodiversity. With continued upgrades of this facility, Veer Savarkar International Airport greatly contributes to tourism.
31. Tripura
Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, also known as Agartala Airport, is the major air transport hub for Tripura. It is approximately 12 km from the Agartala city centre and links the state with major Indian cities such as Kolkata and Guwahati.
As one of the busiest airports in Northeast India, it acts as a hub for tourism and trade within the region. The airport in Tripura has been modernised to improve the experience of passengers with better facilities.
32. Daman and Diu
Diu Airport, based on Diu Island, is one of the prime entry points for those interested in visiting this particular destination in Gujarat. The airport functions by running domestic flights mainly connecting Diu with Mumbai and other major cities such as Ahmedabad.
With its beautiful beaches and historical sites, Diu attracts a large number of tourists every year. The airport in Daman and Diu has been renovated to improve facilities and enhance passenger experience.
Final Words
Henceforth, the airports in India are the lifeline of the nation, seamlessly connecting its diverse regions while linking the country to global destinations. With the mix of international and domestic airports in India, the nation boosts its tourism, trade and economic development. From the solar-powered Cochin International Airport to the cutting-edge facilities at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, India’s aviation infrastructure showcases innovation and efficiency. As the aviation sector continues to evolve, airports in India remain integral to the country’s progress and global presence.
Frequently Asked Questions Airports in India
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about airports in India.
How many airports are there in India?
India has over 140 operational airports, including domestic and international terminals, managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and private operators.
Which is the busiest airport in India?
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the busiest airport in India, handling the highest number of passengers and flights annually.
How many international airports are there in India?
India has 21 designated international airports that connect the country to various global destinations.
Are there domestic airports in remote areas of India?
Yes, India has domestic airports like Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh and Jorhat in Assam to connect remote areas to the rest of the country.
Which Indian airports have the longest runways?
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport have some of the longest runways in India, facilitating large aircraft.
Are there upcoming airport projects in India?
Yes, India is building new airports, such as Jewar Airport in Noida and Navi Mumbai International Airport, to accommodate growing air traffic.
What are the busiest air routes in India?
Routes like Delhi to Mumbai, Bengaluru to Delhi, and Mumbai to Hyderabad are among the busiest domestic air routes in India.
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