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Airports in Kerala

TeamAckoJan 22, 2025

Often considered the "God's Own Country", Kerala is one of the most picturesque places in India. Apart from the lush green landscapes, this state is also known for its rich cultural heritage, attracting thousands of tourists every year.

Kerala features a wide network of well-connected airports, which enables seamless travel within and to the state. From domestic airport to international, you will get ample options to move as per your need. So, if you are wondering how many airports there are in Kerala, this blog is for you.

Read this till the end to explore the details of the major domestic and international airports present in Kerala.

Contents

Know All About The Domestic And International Airports In Kerala

Being the only state in India that features four international airports, Kerala boasts good connectivity to the rest of the world. All these international airports in Kerala are operational and are situated in the major cities of the state.

Therefore, whether you are travelling to Kerala for tourism purposes or you need to visit the state regarding your work, you can have a hassle-free journey overall.

List of All Airports in Kerala

Here are the Kerala airport lists to have a detailed about each airport and how it operates:

1. Kannur International Airport

Kannur International Airport is situated at a distance of around 25 kilometres from the city and is among the 4 international airports in the state. The terminal building of this airport serves flights for both international and domestic travel. The airport is also counted among the greenfield airports in Kerala, which has been operational since 3rd December 2009.

It features three levels including the basement, arrival and departure, with an area of 1,040,000 sq ft. Furthermore, the airport is managed by a public-private consortium which has plans to expand the area for training helicopter pilots and setting up an aviation academy.

Address: Mattannur, Kerala 670702
IATA Code: CNN
Terminal: It has 1 integrated terminal, with three levels (basement, arrival and departure) that are used for both domestic and international flight operations.

2. Cochin International Airport

Cochin International Airport is situated in Nedumbassery, which is around 25 km away from the city centre. Being one of the major airports of the state, it handles about 63.86% of the total air travel of the state, which makes it the busiest of all airports in Kerala.

The airport serves about 170 flights in a day, and hence it has recorded serving nearly 8.9 million passengers in 2016. This airport has also been declared a solar plant since it is fully powered with solar points.

Address: Airport Rd, Nedumbassery, Kochi, Kerala 683111
IATA Code: COK
Terminal: It has 3 main terminals, where two of those are for domestic flights and one is for international ones. There is another terminal for cargo movements.

3. Calicut International Airport

Calicut International Airport, also called Karipur Airport is located between Malappuram and Kozhikode within a distance of 25 km to 28 km. This airport is well connected to various international destinations like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Bahrain etc. It is also situated around 30 km away from the city, operating more than 50 frequent flights in a day to various key destinations within and outside India.

Considered the 3rd busiest airport in Kerala, this airport has been operational since 13th April 1988 and became an international airport in 2006.

Address: Airport P.O, Airport Rd, Malappuram, Karipur, Kerala 673647
IATA Code: CCJ
Terminal: It has 2 terminals, one of which is used for domestic flights and the other one for international flights.

4. Trivandrum International Airport

Trivandrum International Airport is the first airport that was built in Kerala and it is also the fifth airport built in India. It is located at a distance of 3.7 km west of the city, serving various key destinations like Kanyakumari, Kollam, Tirunelveli etc. Besides, the airport also serves connections to various international destinations which include Bahrain, Dubai, Riyadh, Singapore, Kuala etc.

Considered among the busiest airports in the state, this airport has been operational since 1932 and has been serving people with excellence and comfort since then.

Address: Airport Rd, Chacka, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
IATA Code: TRV
Terminal: It has two terminals, one of which is used for domestic flights and the other one for international flights.

Non-functional Airport

Kerala has four international airports with no non-functional ones. However, the Calicut International Airport, which was previously called the Kozhikode Airport was once declared a non-functional one.

Kozhikode International Airport is the nearest one to the Malappuram that primarily used to serve the city of Kozhikode. However, in August 2020, all flights were shut down and have been diverted to the Cochin and Kannur International Airport after an Air India Express flight from Dubai to Calicut overshot the tabletop runway. It then crashed at Kozhikode Airport, where at least 20 passengers were declared killed along with the pilots.

Afterwards, the airport again became fully operational in August 2023.

Places to Visit in Kerala

Once you are aware of how many airports in Kerala you can find, you need to learn about the best places you can visit in the state. Only then can you conclude an effective travelling plan. So go through the following points to know some of the best places to visit in Kerala for an exciting vacation:

Munnar

Kerala is a picturesque state with numerous breathtaking places to visit for tourists. However, Munnar is one of the most famous locations in the state, known for its tea estates, and mesmerising hills, which are always covered with a blanket of mists. Located in the Idukki district, you must visit this place if you are into exploring astonishing viewpoints and greenery.

Kochi

Located on the Malabar coast of southwest India, Kochi is a place that requires no introduction. Also known as Cochin, it is a port city which dates back to 600 years ago and hence it is popularly referred to as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. If you visit Kochi, you can experience an unusual concoction of cultures with a great diversity in linguistics along with the involvement of Anglo-Indian communities. Besides, this place features different sea beaches, backwaters, coasts and terrains for people to enjoy and relax in their vacation.

Wayanad

If you are in Kerala to explore its wildlife, one of the best places to visit is Wayanad. Situated in the Western Ghats of Kerala, Wayanad is famous for its wildlife and spice plantations, which are blessed with crystal clear waterfalls, mist-covered hills and lush green forests. This place also contributes majorly to the agricultural economy of the state, featuring fertile valleys and terraced fields.

Periyar National Park

You cannot miss visiting the Periyar National Park when you are in Kerala. One of the most bio-diverse regions of the world, this national park is among the best-protected reserve areas you can find in India. Besides, visiting this place allows you to experience peace, and serenity as well as some magnificent species including Royal Bengal Tigers and different reptiles.

Nelliyampathy

Nelliyampathy is among the most underexplored destinations in Kerala. It is a hill station located near the border of Tamil Nadu, famous for offering lush green tea plantations, cardamom plantations and various picturesque tourist attractions. Best for eco-tourism and romantic holidays, visiting Nelliyampathy can fill you with peace and comfort.

Things to Do in Kerala

After finding out the total airport in Kerala, you can have an approach towards planning your trip. Along with that, you also need to sort the activities you wish to engage in during your trip. Thus, the below points feature some of the things to do in Kerala:

Explore the Forests

Kerala is known for its greenery which comes mostly from its lush and verdant forests. Thus, it is a must to visit. Make sure to explore the dense forests of the state and experience the tropical temperature there, along with meeting different animals. Whether you visit a national park or go for a walk across the forests, the peace and tranquillity you can experience in the forests are unmatched.

Cruise Through the Backwaters

Explore Kerala’s enchanting backwaters on a traditional houseboat in Alleppey or Kumarakom. While enjoying real Keralan food, cruise past tranquil waterways, beautiful paddy fields, and picturesque towns. The serene landscape, dotted with coconut trees, provides a singular window into rural existence. The ultimate Kerala experience is a houseboat vacation, which is ideal for leisure and photography.

Visit Munnar’s Tea Plantations

The extensive tea plantations and mist-covered hills of Munnar are a nature lover's paradise. Enjoy beautiful walks around the lush plantations and learn about the manufacture of tea by going on guided excursions. To learn more about the history of the area, visit the Tea Museum. Trekking options are also available at Munnar, which gives stunning views of the surrounding valleys and Western Ghats.

Enjoy the Culinary Delights of Kerala

When you are on a vacation, you simply cannot miss trying out the local cuisine. Kerala features some of the most exquisite and unique flavours of Southern India. Also, the best place to enjoy the culinary delights of Kerala is Sadya, where you can witness a delicious spread of numerous vegetarian dishes, exhibiting a celebration of local cuisines, served on a banana leaf.

Experience Ayurvedic Wellness

Kerala is the birthplace of Ayurveda, offering holistic treatments for rejuvenation. Go to a genuine Ayurvedic spa or health facility to experience yoga, massages, and detoxification procedures. These age-old methods, which emphasise mental, physical, and spiritual balance, provide a distinctive cultural and therapeutic experience.

The Bottom Line

To sum it up, learning about how many airports in Kerala you can find, helps you a lot in planning the entire trip. Based on that, you can ensure what activities to engage in and sort out the places you intend to visit. Overall, Kerala is one of the most sought-after places to visit in India, featuring greenery, hills, water and serenity wherever you look. Thus, make sure to draft your travel itinerary only after a careful assessment of the airports present in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions Airports in Kerala

The following are some of the frequently asked questions regarding how many airports in Kerala you can find:

How many Kerala airports are there?

There are four operational airports in Kerala including Kannur International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Calicut International Airport and Trivandrum International Airport.

Which is the oldest airport in Kerala?

Trivandrum International Airport is the oldest airport in Kerala.

How many international airports in Kerala can we find?

There are four international airports in Kerala which include Kannur International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Calicut International Airport and Trivandrum International Airport.

Are transport facilities good near all the airports in Kerala?

You can find good transport facilities from all the airports in Kerala including shuttles, taxis, rental cars etc.

What facilities are available in the international airports in Kerala?

There are several facilities available in all the international airports of Kerala ranging from ground transportation, duty-free shops, medical rooms, baggage claim, currency exchange etc.

Which is the busiest airport in Kerala?

Cochin International Airport is the busiest airport in Kerala.

Are airport lounges available in Kerala?

Yes, lounges and VIP lounges are available in the airports of Kerala both for domestic and international travellers including comfortable seating, refreshments, and Wi-Fi.