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

Airports in South India are managed by different organizations. Most are operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which handles both domestic and international flights. This article gives the total number of international and domestic airports and lists them by state: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

How Many Airports Are There in South India?

There are 27 operational airports across the five South Indian states: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

How Many International Airports Are There in South India?

South India has 14 international airports, making it one of India's busiest regions for international air travel.

Andhra Pradesh

International Airports: 3 (Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati)
Total Airports: 7 (Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Kadapa, Kurnool, and Sri Sathya Sai Airport)
Airports in Visakhapatnam: 1 (Visakhapatnam International Airport. The upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport is under development and not yet operational.)

Telangana

International Airports: 1 (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad)
Total Airports: 1 operational commercial airport (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport)
Airports in Hyderabad: 1 (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. Begumpet Airport is not used for scheduled commercial flights.)

Karnataka

International Airports: 2 (Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, and Mangaluru International Airport)
Total Airports: 8 (Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Belagavi, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Bidar, and Shivamogga)
Airports in Bengaluru: 1 (Kempegowda International Airport. HAL Airport is not used for scheduled commercial flights.)

Tamil Nadu

International Airports: 4 (Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, and Madurai)
Total Airports: 7 (Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Salem, Thoothukudi, and Vellore)
Airports in Chennai: 1 (Chennai International Airport)

Kerala

International Airports: 4 (Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram, Calicut, and Kannur)
Total Airports: 4 (Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram, Calicut, and Kannur)
Airports in Kochi: 1 (Cochin International Airport)

Airports in Andhra Pradesh 2026 (3 International Airports, 3 Domestic Airports, 1 Private Airport)

Andhra Pradesh has 7 airports, including 3 international airports, 3 domestic airports, and 1 private airport. The state's aviation network continues to expand with the development of the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport.

How Many International Airports Are There in Andhra Pradesh?

International Airports (3)

Visakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ): Located in Visakhapatnam, it is the busiest airport in Andhra Pradesh and operates as a civil enclave within INS Dega.
Vijayawada International Airport (VGA): Located at Gannavaram, it serves the Vijayawada–Amaravati region and offers domestic and international services.
Tirupati International Airport (TIR): Located at Renigunta, it serves pilgrims visiting the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple and operates international flights.

How Many Domestic Airports Are There in Andhra Pradesh?

Domestic Airports (3)

Rajahmundry Airport (RJA): Located at Madhurapudi, it serves the Godavari region with scheduled domestic flights.
Kadapa Airport (CDP): Connects the Rayalaseema region with major Indian cities.
Kurnool Airport (KJB): Located at Orvakal, it provides regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme.

Private Airport (1)

Private Airport

Sri Sathya Sai Airport (PUT): Located at Puttaparthi, this privately owned airport primarily serves the Sri Sathya Sai Ashram and charter operations.

Airports in Telangana 2026 (1 International Airport)

Telangana has 1 operational commercial airport, which is also an international airport. It serves as the state's primary aviation hub, connecting Telangana with major domestic and international destinations.

How Many International Airports Are There in Telangana?

International Airport (1)

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD): Located in Shamshabad, Hyderabad, it is one of India's busiest airports and a major hub for domestic, international, and cargo operations. It is consistently recognized for its high service quality and operational efficiency.

Note: Begumpet Airport no longer handles scheduled commercial passenger flights. It is primarily used for military operations, pilot training, VIP movements, and private aviation.

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

Karnataka has 8 operational airports, including 2 international airports and 6 domestic airports. The state's aviation network supports business, tourism, and regional connectivity across South India.

How Many International Airports Are There in Karnataka?

International Airports (2)

Kempegowda International Airport (BLR): Located in Devanahalli, Bengaluru, it is Karnataka's busiest airport and the primary gateway to India's technology hub. Its award-winning Terminal 2 is known for its sustainable design.
Mangaluru International Airport (IXE): Located at Bajpe, it serves the coastal region and offers extensive international connectivity, particularly to the Middle East.

Note: HAL Airport in Bengaluru is no longer used for scheduled commercial passenger flights and primarily serves defense, aerospace, and test operations.

How Many Domestic Airports Are There in Karnataka?

Domestic Airports (6)

Hubballi Airport (HBX): A major domestic airport serving North Karnataka.
Belagavi Airport (IXG): Provides regional connectivity to northern Karnataka.
Mysuru Airport (MYQ): Connects the cultural capital of Karnataka with major Indian cities.
Kalaburagi Airport (GBI): Operates domestic flights under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
Bidar Airport (IXX): Serves the Bidar region with domestic flights under the UDAN scheme.
Shivamogga Airport (RQY): Karnataka's newest domestic airport, serving the Malnad region.

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

Tamil Nadu has 7 commercial airports, including 4 international airports and 3 domestic airports. The state has one of the largest aviation networks in South India, providing excellent domestic and international connectivity.

How Many International Airports Are There in Tamil Nadu?

International Airports (4)

Chennai International Airport (MAA): Located in Tirusulam, it is the primary international gateway to Tamil Nadu and one of India's busiest airports.
Coimbatore International Airport (CJB): Serves western Tamil Nadu, supporting the region's textile, manufacturing, and business sectors.
Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ): Handles significant international traffic, especially to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Madurai Airport (IXM): An international airport serving southern Tamil Nadu with domestic and limited international flights.

How Many Domestic Airports Are There in Tamil Nadu?

Domestic Airports (3)

Salem Airport (SXV): Provides domestic flights connecting Salem with major Indian cities.
Thoothukudi Airport (TCR): Serves the port city of Thoothukudi with domestic air services.
Vellore Airport (VOVR): A non-operational airport currently not serving scheduled commercial passenger flights.

Airports in Kerala 2026 (4 International Airports)

Kerala has 4 operational airports, and all of them are international airports. The state has the highest number of international airports in India, largely due to its large Non-Resident Indian (NRI) population and strong air connectivity with the Middle East.

How Many International Airports Are There in Kerala?

International Airports (4)

Cochin International Airport (COK): Located in Nedumbassery, it is the world's first fully solar-powered airport and the busiest airport in Kerala.
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV): Kerala's first airport, serving the state capital and southern Kerala.
Calicut International Airport (CCJ): Located in Karipur near Kozhikode, it primarily serves the Malabar region and operates on a tabletop runway.
Kannur International Airport (CNN): The newest international airport in Kerala, serving northern Kerala and supporting tourism and business travel.

Top and the Best International Airports in South India (2026)

The top five airports in South India are Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Hyderabad), Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru), Chennai International Airport (Chennai), Cochin International Airport (Kochi), and Calicut International Airport (Calicut). These airports rank highest based on passenger traffic, connectivity, and overall convenience for travelers in 2024 and 2025.

Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)

Kempegowda International Airport, located in Devanahalli near Bangalore in Karnataka, is the third‑largest and one of the busiest airports in India. Named after Kempegowda, the founder of Bangalore, the airport has two terminals and connects to more than 60 destinations across India and abroad.

Known for its modern facilities, efficient operations, and commitment to sustainability, Kempegowda Airport has become a key gateway for travelers. It also serves as a major hub for AirAsia India and IndiGo Airlines.

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, located in Shamshabad near Hyderabad in Telangana, is the fourth‑largest and one of the busiest airports in India. Named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the airport connects to more than 60 destinations across India and abroad.

It is recognized for affordable flight options, efficient services, and strong focus on passenger convenience and security. Rajiv Gandhi Airport also serves as a major hub for SpiceJet and one of the key hubs for IndiGo Airlines.

Complete List of Airports in South India by State

✈ Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam Airport – International
Vijayawada Airport – Domestic
Tirupati Airport – Domestic
Rajahmundry Airport – Domestic
Kadapa Airport – Domestic
Kurnool Airport – Domestic
Sri Sathya Sai Airport – Private

✈ Telangana

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Hyderabad) – International
Begumpet Airport (Hyderabad) – Domestic/Training
Warangal Airport – Non-operational

✈ Karnataka

Kempegowda International Airport – International
Mangalore International Airport – International
Hubli Airport – Domestic
Belagavi Airport – Domestic
Mysore Airport – Domestic
Bidar Airport – Domestic

✈ Tamil Nadu

Chennai International Airport – International
Coimbatore International Airport – International
Tiruchirappalli International Airport – International
Madurai Airport – International
Tuticorin Airport – Domestic
Salem Airport – Domestic
Vellore Airport – Non-operational

✈ Kerala

Cochin International Airport – International
Trivandrum International Airport – International
Calicut International Airport – International
Kannur International Airport – International