AAI seeks EIA consultancy for Coimbatore Airport expansion to handle 12 million

December 10, 2025 at 05:19 PM•2 min read

India's AAI tenders for environmental assessment services to expand Coimbatore International Airport's capacity.

Key Points

1India's AAI has called tenders for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consultancy for the significant expansion of Coimbatore International Airport.
2The existing Coimbatore terminal, already exceeding peak domestic capacity, is forecast to saturate by 2025-26, necessitating urgent development.
3The planned new integrated terminal aims to boost annual passenger handling capacity to 12 million by 2036-37, a substantial increase from current levels.
4Stakeholders emphasize environmental clearance is crucial for Phase 1, with assurances of new terminal completion within three years.

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has initiated tenders for consultancy services to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the significant development of Coimbatore International Airport. The airport currently operates on 420.3 acres, with 620.22 of the 627.89 acres required for expansion already transferred to the AAI, and the remaining 7.67 acres under acquisition.

The existing terminal, designed to handle 3.63 million annual passengers and 1,770 peak hour passengers (PHP), is already experiencing saturation. Notably, its domestic departure PHP traffic of 830 passengers during peak times exceeds the designed capacity of 675. According to the AAI's traffic forecast, the current terminal is projected to reach full saturation by the 2025-26 fiscal year.

To address this, a new integrated terminal building is planned with a design year of 2036-37, anticipating approximately 11.6 million annual passenger traffic. The proposed terminal is designed to accommodate 12 million annual passengers and 4,200 PHP, comprising 3,200 domestic and 1,000 international. This 75,000 sqm centrally air-conditioned facility will feature an elevated road for departures, a surface road for arrivals, multi-level and surface parking, a bus parking area, plaza, canteen, public toilets, an AC plant, an electrical substation, and other essential infrastructure.

Industry stakeholders, including J. Sathish of Kongu Global Forum and aviation analyst Shyam Mohan Prabhu of Coimbatore NXT, have welcomed the tender calls as promising steps. They underscore the critical importance of securing environmental clearance for the commencement of Phase 1 development. Stakeholders also highlight the urgent, long-awaited nature of the project and express hope for expedited formalities, with assurances from Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Secretary of Civil Aviation, and AAI Chairman that the new terminal will be completed within three years.