Madurai airfield was first used by the Royal Air Force in World War II in 1942. First passenger flight was a Fokker Friendship aircraft on the Madras to Madurai to Trivandrum to Madurai to Madras route in 1957 Being identified as one of 35 non-metro airports for modernization, the new integrated terminal building was inaugurated on 12 September 2010.The airport was notified as customs airport. The notification, issued on December 2011. two chartered flights from Malaysia landed at the airport on 25 August 2012, making them the first international aircraft that landed in the temple city. The first commercial international flight started on 20 September 2012 by Spice Jet commencing its maiden service to Colombo.In order to boost export from Madurai and its surrounding districts, the Department of Revenue under the Union Ministry of Finance has issued a notification dated 28 May 2013 permitting Madurai airport to handle cargo.The airport has two adjacent terminals. Currently the integrated terminal is being used for both International and Domestic purpose. Airport Authority of India is planning to convert the old terminal into a cargo complex . AAI had asked around 610 acres of land in Madurai to take up runway extension work. The state government has promised that land will be acquired and handed over on time. In response to that, the district administration has proposed to acquire 610 acres of land to expand the Madurai airport. The proposed site, including 100 acres of poromboke land, would pave way for extending the runway to 12,500 metres enabling the airport to handle international services. A team comprising Airports Authority of India, Highways Department and Madurai Corporation officials had identified the site on the eastern side of the airport that would intersect the Ring Road over 5 km. As per the plan, the Ring Road would be disconnected at Mandela Junction and diverted via Perungudi and Avaniapuram to connect the Tuticorin Road.
