Coimbatore, or Kovai, is a Tier 2 city in the state of Tamil Nadu. The district butts into Kerala at the Walayar border, becoming almost like a sister city of Pallakad.
The airport is on another end of the district, on Avinashi Road, not too far from the heart of the town. In fact, because of the airport, several hotels and restaurants, as well as shopping centers have been popping up around the area lately. I myself frequent the Tata companies in the vicinity for some daily wear or a coffee break– you can probably guess the places I’m talking about.
The airport itself has a new Tata group coffee shop– Starbucks. Asides from that, the lounge is fairly small, accommodating around 300 passengers in basic black plastic seats. On the periphery of the seating are a few “local” staples and specialities– Shri Annapoorna’s; Ramraj Cottons; Shree Krishna Sweets (famous for Mysorepa); Chennai Silks; and trinkets shops for gifting purposes.
This serves as a staging area for the two main gates from the ground level.
Kovai’s International Airport has simple staple offerings for its customers. The airport serves people from places like Pallakad and Thrissur, Tiruppur and Pazhani, Salem and Kangeyam areas.
The last time I was in the airport in August 2025, I found out there’s an upstairs that hosts 4 more gates, with air bridge connectivity, that is used much less. But it’s accessible, with a coffee stall on one end, and open areas I enjoyed my morning walk in before catching my flight from downstairs.
Smaller city (Tier 2, 3) airports in India are often like this. Easy to navigate. Friendly security. Older looking with old yet clean tiles. Small bathrooms with basic features that don’t require a higher degree to use. There’s no need to come 3 hours early to ensure you get through security without stress. There’s no need to plan in advance, or spend a lot on food and fun in the airport. It’s just an airport: it serves its purpose to help connect people across places. You get in just an hour before the flight, you’ll have no problem checking in your baggage, going through the security check (often without a line), and boarding without stress. There’s no worry.
There are even smaller airports across the nation. I was recently at Jharsuguda, which is in a hub for Western Odisha (Sambalpur, Rourkela, Balangir, etc.), eastern Chattisgarh (Raigarh) and some parts Jharkhand. (Jharsuguda is known for coal industry plants.) The airport lounge was a similar size to Kovai, but with just 1 chai stall and 1 shop hosting handicrafts from Odisha. No upstairs either. There was no rush, no stress. People were friendly, and I could easily leave my things on a chair and walk and stretch. Some meaningful arts and crafts displays.
I recently spoke with my uncle from California who frequents Tuticorin, his native place. He said in that airport, there’s just a small building, the size of a house. An employee removes the luggage from the plane, and puts it in the building, and everyone just picks out what’s theirs. No conveyer belts. No announcements. Just serves a place to board a flight.
Simple.
This is what I love about the smaller airports of India.