10 Exceptionally Designed Airports In India

The aim of design is to understand users and achieve specific goals. In airports, the focus is on travelers, ensuring quick and seamless movement. Successful transit hubs rely on effective circulation or the movement of people. Airport design involves recognizing patterns and organizing spaces efficiently, dedicating indoor areas to engaging and relaxing activities for travelers. In this article, SURFACES REPORTER (SR) showcases exceptionally designed airports in India. These airports boast intelligent designs, facilitating easy navigation and providing pleasant spaces, showcasing India's commitment to modern, sustainable, and culturally enriched designs. 

1. Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore

Image Credit: The Economic Times

Kempegowda International Airport's Terminal 2, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and constructed by L&T, emerges as a global architectural gem. Recognized for its aesthetic brilliance, it recently earned UNESCO's Prix Versailles award. Spanning 2,55,000 sq. m, the terminal integrates art, culture, and sustainability. With an initial capacity for 25 million passengers annually and readiness to accommodate over 65 million in the future, the bamboo-based structure incorporates advanced technologies, creating a harmonious blend of modernity and natural elements.

2. Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi

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Indira Gandhi International Airport, sprawling across 5106 acres, stands as India's busiest and South Asia's largest aviation hub. Recognized globally, Terminal 3 (T3) by HOK Group Inc, Larsen & Toubro, and Mott MacDonald Group enhances its appeal. Located 16 km from Delhi's city center, the airport serves 80 airlines across five terminals. It has earned accolades like the "World’s Best Airport" at the 2017 Airport Service Quality Awards and is the first LEED Gold-rated airport in India, reflecting its commitment to sustainable design. Delhi International Airport (DIAL), a public-private consortium led by GMR Group, manages the entire airport.

3. Tirupati International Airport, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

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The international airport in Tirupati, built cost-effectively, draws pilgrims globally to the Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala. With a capacity for 700 passengers, the integrated terminal was designed by Aadharshila Designs Pvt. Ltd. through a design competition. The airport holds a GRIHA 4-Star certification, incorporating various green features. Inspired by the eagle carrier of Lord Venkateshwara, Garuda, the layered form of the airport considers the city's development and potential future expansions.

4. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai

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Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport ranks as the second busiest in India. Terminal 2, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, serves as both an international and domestic terminal, alongside Hafeez Contractor’s Santa Cruz Airport, utilizing the same runway. Its captivating parametric roof with coffered ceiling and arches takes inspiration from a bird’s wing. The airport received Level 3+ Carbon Neutrality in 2017 from Airport Council International and IGBC Platinum-rated status. Home to the world's largest art exhibition, displaying over 6,000 artworks along a 3km stretch, the airport is a hub of cultural richness. Terminal 1 complements the experience with diverse amenities, from fine dining to medical services.

5. Chennai International Airport, Chennai

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Situated on the outskirts of Chennai, the Chennai International Airport stands as one of Asia's largest green terminals, embodying the concept of a winged bird to symbolize air movement.Designed by Creative Group, it is the first intermodal hub in India, focusing on passenger convenience with short travel distances and no visual barriers. The new Golden Terminal merges two terminals, showcasing the vibrant cultures of Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Covering 1323 acres, it's the fourth busiest airport in India with three terminals and various amenities like duty-free shops, restaurants, bars, vending machines, luggage carts, and currency exchange. The airport boasts a unique vertical garden worth INR 400 million, featuring around 40 plant varieties.

6. Kannur International Airport, Kannur, Kerala

Image Credit: Airports Council International

Kannur International Airport caters to North Kerala, as well as neighboring districts in Karnataka and Mahe, a union territory of Puducherry. In 2013, KIAL (Kannur International Airport Limited) conducted a Terminal Design Competition for the current airstrip. Ar. Thomas Puthumana emerged as the winner, shaping the airport's concept, subsequently executed by KIAL. Distinguishing itself, Kannur Airport features a tabletop runway, created by cutting the mountaintop to form a runway plateau—a unique characteristic among Indian airports.

7. Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Image Credit: Airports Terminal

Constructed by the Airports Authority of India, Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport is located in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, named after a revered Kashmiri saint. Initially utilized by the Indian Air Force, the airport played a role in significant historical events such as the 1947 Indo-Pakistan War and the 1999 Kargil War. Transitioning to an international airport in 2005 as a civil enclave, its terminal design mimics the Himalayan terrain, featuring a curved roof for efficient snow removal.

8. Goa International Airport, Goa

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Situated strategically in close proximity to premier beaches, Dabolim International Airport is jointly owned by the Government of Goa and the Indian Military, functioning as a military launchpad as well. The former airport, previously under Indian Navy control, was demolished to create an aircraft parking bay, adopting a design reminiscent of "The Wave."Boasting 1700 acres, its integrated terminal caters to both domestic and international travelers, featuring modern interiors with expansive glazing and chic steel accents.

9. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, West Bengal

Image Credit: Telegraph India

Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, among India's oldest, was crafted by Sikka Associates in partnership with eco-friendly designers RMJM and landscaping experts Strata. The introduction of a new L-shaped integrated terminal in 2013 expanded its capacity to serve 20 million passengers annually. This combined domestic and international terminal features Rabindranath Tagore's writings on the ceiling and internal courtyards. The airport is overseen by Landrum and Brown in collaboration with the Airport Authority of India, ensuring culturally attuned service facilities.

10. Cochin International Airport

Image Credit: UNEP

Cochin International Airport, the largest in Kerala, stands as the eighth busiest in India with three terminals—two for domestic operations and one exclusively for international travelers—offering diverse amenities. Situated in Nedumbassery, 25 km from the city center, it gained global recognition in 2015 as the world's first entirely solar-powered airport, earning the United Nations' Champion of the Earth Award in 2018. This distinction makes it the first fully solar-powered and green airport globally. Terminal 3's design, inspired by the traditional "Charupadi," provides a cultural touch, welcoming passengers with courtyards and a vast timber-sloped roof.