The Indian state of Tamil Nadu has three international, one limited international and six domestic or private airports. [1] [2] Chennai International Airport, which is the fifth busiest airport by passenger traffic in India, is a major international airport and the main gateway to the state. [3] Other international airports in the state include Coimbatore and Tiruchirapalli while Madurai is a customs airport with limited international flights. [2] Domestic flights are operational to certain airports like Tuticorin and Salem while flights are planned to be introduced to more domestic airports by the UDAN scheme of Government of India. [4]
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The Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force operates three air bases in the state Sulur, Tambaram and Thanjavur. [5] The Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy operates airbases at Uchipuli and Chennai. [6] The Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy operates an airbase at Arakkonam. [7] The Indian Coast Guard operates an air station in Chennai. [8]
The aviation history of the state began in 1910, when Giacomo D'Angelis built the first powered flight in Asia and tested it in Island Grounds. [9] In 1915, Tata Air Mail started an airmail service between Karachi and Madras, marking the beginning of civil aviation in India. [10] On 15 October 1932, J. R. D. Tata flew a Puss Moth aircraft carrying air mail from Karachi to Bombay's Juhu Airstrip and the flight was continued to Madras piloted by aviator Nevill Vintcent marking the first scheduled commercial flight. [11] [12]
