International Airports in South India in 2026 (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala)

How many airports are in South India?

There are 32 operational commercial airports across the five southern states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala) and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

How many international airports are in South India?

South India is the primary gateway for international transit in the country, hosting 15 international airports out of the nation's 35.

Andhra Pradesh

  • International Airports: 4 (Visakhapatnam (2), Vijayawada, Tirupati)

  • Total Operational Airports: 7(Visakhapatnam (2), Vijayawada, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Kadapa, Karnool )

  • Airports in Visakhapatnam: 2 (Visakhapatnam International Airport, operating as a civil enclave at the INS Dega naval air station and Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram).

Telangana

  • International Airports: 1 (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad, Hyderabad)

  • Total Operational Airports: 1 (Hyderabad)

  • Airports in Hyderabad: 1 (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad. The older Begumpet Airport handles only non-commercial VIP and military transit).

Karnataka

  • International Airports: 2 (Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and Mangaluru International Airport).

  • Total Operational Airports: 8 (Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Belagavi, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Shivamogga).

  • Airports in Bengaluru: 1 (Kempegowda International Airport handles all commercial flights. HAL Airport is strictly used for test flights and VIP transit).

Tamil Nadu

  • International Airports: 4 (Chennai International Airport, Coimbatore International Airport, Tiruchirappalli International Airport, and Madurai International Airport).

  • Total Operational Airports: 7 (Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Salem, Thoothukudi, Vellore).

  • Airports in Chennai:1 (Chennai International Airport).

Kerala

  • International Airports: 4 (Cochin International, Thiruvananthapuram International, Calicut International at Kozhikode, and Kannur International). Kerala features the highest density of international gateways relative to geographic size.

  • Total Operational Airports: 5 (Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and the recently commercialized Sabarimala/Cheruvally project entry paths).

Airports in Andhra Pradesh 2026 (4 International Airports, 3 Domestic Airports)

Andhra Pradesh operates 7 commercial airports under its progressive "Aviation Policy 2026," which highlights the government's plans to build an airport within every 150-kilometer radius and provide accessibility for every resident.

How many International Airports in Andhra Pradesh?

International Airports (4)

  • Visakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ): Located in Gopalapatnam. It handles the highest passenger volume in the state (nearly 3 million annually) but operates as a Civil Enclave inside the Indian Navy's air station, INS Dega.

    2026 Transition Note: Commercial operations are progressively transitioning to the massive new greenfield Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram (developed by GMR), which is entering its final operational launch phase to lift military slot restrictions.

  • Vijayawada International Airport (VGA): Located in Gannavaram along NH-16, serving the capital region. It is currently undergoing a massive terminal expansion to scale up direct global connectivity.

  • Tirupati International Airport (TIR): Located in Renigunta, this airport primarily serves the heavy pilgrim influx visiting the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.

Domestic Airports (3)

  • Rajahmundry Airport (RJA): Located in Madhurapudi. Serving the fertile Godavari delta, its newly expanded terminal handles over 2 million passengers annually and acts as a key base for offshore ONGC helicopter flights.

  • Kadapa Airport (CDP): A regional domestic airport linking the Rayalaseema region with major tech hubs like Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

  • Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy Airport (KJB): Located in Orvakal, Kurnool. Developed by the APADCL, this regional connectivity project links western Andhra Pradesh directly to major metro lines via low-cost carrier networks.

Airports in Telangana 2026 (1 International Airport)

Telangana concentrates its entire commercial aviation volume into one massive, highly efficient international gateway, with secondary regional airstrips currently under phase-wise evaluation.

How many International Airports in Telangana?

International Airports (1)

  • Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD): Located in Shamshabad, Hyderabad. Ranked consistently among the top airports globally for service quality, it serves as an immense primary hub for cargo and international passenger transit across Central and South India.

    Note on City Airfields: The historic Begumpet Airport located in central Hyderabad handles zero commercial passengers; it is reserved exclusively for military movements, VIP state flights, and private charters.

Airports in Karnataka 2026 (2 International Airports, 6 Domestic Airports)

Karnataka features 8 operational airports managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), private consortia, and the state-led infrastructure boards.

How many International Airports in Karnataka?

International Airports (2)

  • Kempegowda International Airport (BLR): Located in Devanahalli, Bengaluru. Featuring its highly acclaimed, eco-conscious Terminal 2, BLR is the primary gateway to India's tech corridor. It handles the vast majority of Karnataka's business, international, and cargo traffic.

    HAL Airport in central Bengaluru remains entirely non-commercial, used solely for defense test flights and aerospace testing.

  • Mangaluru International Airport (IXE): Located at Bajpe, it serves as the primary coastal gateway, notable for its tabletop runway and extensive international flights serving Middle Eastern destinations.

Domestic Airports (6)

  • Hubballi Airport (HBX) & Belagavi Airport (IXG): Crucial industrial hubs driving the commercial network of North Karnataka.

  • Mysuru Airport (MYQ): Enhances regional tourist connectivity to the cultural capital of Karnataka.

  • Kalaburagi Airport (GBR) & Bidar Airport (IYX): Deployed under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme to open up remote northern sectors.

  • Shivamogga Airport (RQY): The newest domestic addition, serving the Malnad region's agricultural and tourist corridors.

Airports in Tamil Nadu 2026 (4 International Airports, 3 Domestic Airports)

Tamil Nadu operates a highly distributed network of 7 commercial airports, maintaining the second-highest density of international hubs in South India.

How many International Airports in Tamil Nadu?

International Airports (4)

  • Chennai International Airport (MAA): Located in Tirusulam. It serves as the historic international gateway to southern India, operating dedicated domestic and international terminals and handling heavy trans-continental routes.

  • Coimbatore International Airport (CJB): Serving the textile, manufacturing, and industrial sectors of western Tamil Nadu.

  • Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ): Famously handles a massive volume of international passenger traffic relative to its size, heavily connecting to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

  • Madurai International Airport (IXM): Connects the southern temple cities directly to major domestic and international transit hubs.

Domestic Airports (3)

  • Salem Airport (SXV)

  • Thoothukudi Airport (TCR)

  • Vellore Airport (VOVR)

Airports in Kerala 2026 (4 International Airports, 1 Domestic Airport)

Kerala boasts 5 operational airports, featuring an unmatched concentration of 4 fully independent international airports due to the massive global NRI (Non-Resident Indian) workforce.

How many International Airports in Kerela?

International Airports (4)

  • Cochin International Airport (COK): Located in Nedumbassery. It is the world’s first fully solar-powered airport and the busiest gateway in Kerala.

  • Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV): The historic first airport of the state, serving the capital and southern technological clusters.

  • Calicut International Airport (CCJ): Located in Karipur, Kozhikode. Serves the dense Malabar region; operates with a tabletop runway constraint.

  • Kannur International Airport (CNN): The newest international gateway in the north, significantly serving the tourism and handloom export sectors of Malabar.

Domestic Operations (1)

  • Sabarimala/Cheruvally Transit Paths: While a dedicated greenfield airport project for Sabarimala pilgrims is underway, regional entry air strips and connecting routes handle dedicated domestic pilgrim charters seasonally.