About Coimbatore Airport
Coimbatore International Airport (IATA: CJB, ICAO: VOCB) is the primary
airport serving the city of Coimbatore in South India. It is located at
Peelamedu, about 13 km (8.1 mi) from the center of the city. Previously
known as Peelamedu Civil Aerodrome, it is the 15th largest airport in India
in terms of total aircraft movement, 18th largest in terms of passengers
handled and 13th largest in terms of cargo handled.
The airport commenced operations in 1940 as a civil aerodrome with Indian
Airlines operating Fokker F27, Douglas DC-3 and later Hawker Siddeley HS 748
aircraft. Beginning with services to Chennai and Bangalore, other
destinations like Cochin and Mumbai were added later. The airport was
modernized with an extended runway to accommodate larger aircraft like the
Boeing 737 and was reopened in 1987. The Sulur Air Force Base located
further east of Coimbatore was temporarily used for civil aviation during
this period. As of 2012, the airport is served by more than ten domestic and
international carriers.
The Prime Minister of India declared the government's intention to upgrade
Coimbatore Airport to International status in a meeting with senior
ministers on 6 June 2012 and the Union Cabinet granted it the status of
international airport on 2 October 2012.
The Airport has one runway that is 9,760 feet (2,970 m) in length extended
from 8,500 ft (2,600 m) to accommodate larger aircraft. The runway is
further slated to be extended to 12,500 feet (3,800 m) to handle wide bodied
aircraft such as the Airbus A380.
New domestic and international divisions were added in 2010 to the already
existing common terminal and an Instrument Landing System (ILS) is in place
since 2008. The airport has a parking management system with a capacity to
accommodate nearly 300 cars. There are two hangars in the airport; one
provides housing for the planes of Coimbatore Flying Club, the other
provides shelter for private carriers.
The further proposed expansion of the airport includes extension of runway
to 12,500 ft (3,800 m) to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Boeing 747
and Airbus A380 and construction of a parallel taxiway to the runway to
minimize runway occupancy time and turnaround time of aircraft. Two more
parking bays will be added, raising the total number of bays to 10.
The Airport is located on Avinashi Road about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the
central bus station. Frequent bus services are available from Gandhipuram
central bus station and also from other auxiliary bus stations at
Singanallur and Ukkadam. The airport is 11 km (6.8 mi) from the major
railway station, Coimbatore Junction and the nearest rail stations are at
Singanallur and Peelamedu. Cab services, call taxis and auto rickshaws
provide 24 hours commuting services to the Airport.
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