After it was declared a customs airport in 2010, the Madurai airport has finally become an international terminal. The Union Cabinet Committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal on March 10. The decision will facilitate the operation of flights to international destinations, especially to West Asian countries, Singapore, and Malaysia, which host a significant diaspora from southern Tamil Nadu.
British-era airstrip
One of the oldest airports of Tamil Nadu, Madurai has for long been the gateway to the southern districts till the Thoothukudi airport was inaugurated in 1992. The airstrip in Madurai that became operational in 1942 was used to fly newspapers from Chennai to Madurai. It became a civil airport in 1952 and started commercial operations in 1957.
With a small terminal building, the Madurai airport was handling only domestic services to destinations, including New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. The inauguration of the spacious integrated terminal in September 2010 renewed the demand for international flights. However, the airport was then accorded the status of customs-notified airport. That status equipped the airport with modern facilities, such as the 17,560-square metre integrated terminal comprising 36 check-in counters and aero-bridges.
