Calicut International Airport
Also known as: Calicut Airport, Kozhikode Airport, CCJ Airport, Karipur Airport.
Private transfer from CCJSee pricesSee pricesAbout Calicut International Airport
Calicut International Airport (CCJ), also called Kozhikode Airport or Karipur Airport, serves Kozhikode (Calicut) and the Malabar region of northern Kerala, India. Most of its flights link Kerala with the Gulf: Air India Express, which has a base here, flies to cities in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, alongside Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, flydubai, flynas, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, SalamAir and Saudia. IndiGo, Akasa Air and SpiceJet connect Calicut with Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi and Hyderabad, and AirAsia flies to Kuala Lumpur.
The airport has an International Terminal and a smaller Domestic Terminal, and one runway on a plateau above the surrounding countryside.
Calicut International Airport is not in Kozhikode itself. It stands at Karipur, near the town of Kondotty in Malappuram district, beside National Highway 66, about 28 km southeast of Kozhikode city center and about 20 km from Malappuram town. Travelers landing here head to Kozhikode city, Kozhikode Beach and Calicut railway station, to Kondotty, Malappuram, Manjeri and Tirur, and further inland to the hills of Wayanad.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Airports Authority of India (AAI)
- Passengers per year
About 3.86 million in the financial year April 2025 to March 2026
- Runway
One runway, 10/28, about 2,860 m long
- Opened
13 April 1988; international airport status from 2 February 2006
- Main airline
Air India Express (operating base)
Arrival tips for Calicut International Airport
After an international flight, follow the Arrivals signs to immigration in the International Terminal. Foreign nationals, including OCI cardholders, must complete India's e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before landing and should hold an e-Visa or other valid visa; Indian citizens need only their passport. Have your passport and e-Arrival confirmation ready at the counter.
Collect your bags at the baggage claim belts, then pass through customs. Use the Green Channel if you have nothing to declare and the Red Channel if you carry goods over the duty-free allowance. Domestic passengers arrive at the Domestic Terminal and go straight to baggage claim.
Outside the arrivals exit you will find the prepaid taxi counter, app-based cab pickups and waiting drivers. Use the official prepaid counter or a pre-arranged pickup rather than accepting rides offered at the exit. India is on India Standard Time (UTC+5:30) all year, and the currency is the Indian rupee (INR); exchange counters and ATMs are in the terminal.
Ground transportation
Prepaid taxis and pre-booked transfers suit most travelers, since buses from the airport are infrequent.
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Book a transfer from CCJPrepaid taxi from Calicut airport
Book at the prepaid taxi counter outside arrivals and pay before you set off. The ride to Kozhikode city covers about 28 km on National Highway 66, and the time depends on traffic.
App-based cabs
App-based cab services pick up outside the terminals. Availability can be patchy late at night, when many Gulf flights land.
Private transfer
Pre-booked drivers meet passengers at the arrivals exit and drive directly to homes and hotels in Kozhikode, Malappuram and beyond. It suits families with heavy Gulf luggage and travelers heading to Wayanad.
KSRTC bus
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses link the airport area with Kozhikode. Services run a few hours apart and are hard going with large bags.
Car rental
Car rental services operate at the airport for travelers who want to drive themselves around Malabar.
Moving between terminals
The International and Domestic terminals are separate buildings on the same airport site.
- 1
Walking
The terminals are close together on the landside, so passengers changing between an international and a domestic flight collect their bags, exit and walk to the other terminal to check in again.
- 2
Airport trolleys
Free luggage trolleys are available at both terminals for the walk between buildings.
Terminals
International Terminal
Handles all international arrivals and departures, mainly flights to and from the Gulf, plus Kuala Lumpur. International arrivals use a two-story arrival building opened in 2019, with its own immigration, customs and baggage claim.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air Arabia, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, AirAsia, Etihad Airways, flydubai, flynas, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, SalamAir, Saudia
Domestic Terminal
A smaller terminal for flights within India, used by IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet on their domestic routes.
Airlines and destinations
Facilities
Currency exchange
Currency exchange and banking counters are in the terminals, useful for changing Gulf currencies into Indian rupees on arrival.
ATMs
ATMs and cash machines are available in the terminal buildings.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminals.
Medical center
A medical center serves passengers at the airport.
Prayer rooms
Prayer rooms are provided in the international arrival building.
Child care rooms
Child care rooms are available for parents traveling with babies.
Duty-free shopping
Duty-free shops operate in the International Terminal.
Food and drink
Restaurants, cafes and kiosks operate in the terminals.
Baggage wrapping
Baggage wrapping is available for checked luggage.
Luggage trolleys
Free trolleys are available for passengers.
Airport lounges
Bird Lounge, International Terminal
Airside after security on level 1, near Gate 1, for departing international passengers. Open 24 hours; access listed for Priority Pass and some Visa and Mastercard cardholders, so check entry terms before you travel.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Ask your airline for assistance when you book, or at least 48 hours before your flight, so the airport and airline can arrange help from check-in to the aircraft.
Reduced mobility
Wheelchairs and assistance for passengers with reduced mobility are available at both terminals on request through your airline.
Hearing and visual support
Tell your airline about hearing or visual needs when you book so staff can guide you through check-in, security and boarding.
Service animals
Rules for service animals are set by each airline; confirm with your airline before booking.
Parking
Short-term and long-term parking are available at the airport. Check current rates with the Airports Authority of India before you travel.
Airport parking area
Public parking for cars is available on the landside at the terminal buildings, for drop-offs, pickups and longer stays.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Calicut airport from Kozhikode city?
Calicut International Airport is about 28 km southeast of Kozhikode (Calicut) city center, at Karipur near Kondotty in Malappuram district. The airport sits beside National Highway 66, the main road into the city, and Calicut railway station is roughly 28 to 30 km away. Travel time depends on traffic along the highway and in the city, so allow extra time at busy hours.
Is Calicut airport the same as Kozhikode or Karipur airport?
Yes. Calicut International Airport (CCJ) is also called Kozhikode Airport, after the city's official name, and Karipur Airport, after the village where it stands. All three names refer to the same airport, which sits near Kondotty in Malappuram district, Kerala. Check that your ticket shows the code CCJ, the airport's IATA code.
Where is Calicut International Airport located?
Calicut International Airport is at Karipur, near Kondotty, in Malappuram district of Kerala, India. It is about 28 km southeast of Kozhikode city and about 20 km from Malappuram town. The postal address is Calicut Airport P.O., Malappuram District, Kerala 673647. Although it carries Calicut's name, the airport lies outside Kozhikode district.
How many terminals does Calicut airport have?
Calicut International Airport has two passenger terminals: an International Terminal for flights to and from the Gulf and Southeast Asia, and a smaller Domestic Terminal for flights within India. The international arrival building, opened in 2019, has its own immigration, customs and baggage claim areas. Check your boarding pass or airline to see which terminal your flight uses.
Which airlines fly from Calicut airport?
Air India Express has a base at Calicut International Airport and flies to many Gulf cities and to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. IndiGo, Akasa Air and SpiceJet serve Indian cities and the Gulf. Air Arabia, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways, flydubai, flynas, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, SalamAir and Saudia fly from the Gulf, and AirAsia flies to Kuala Lumpur.
Where can I fly to from Calicut airport?
Most international flights from Calicut go to the Gulf: Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Doha, Muscat, Salalah, Bahrain, Kuwait City, Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. AirAsia flies to Kuala Lumpur. Domestic flights link Calicut with Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi and Agatti in Lakshadweep, among other cities.
How busy is Calicut International Airport?
Calicut International Airport handled about 3.86 million passengers in the financial year April 2025 to March 2026, up about 4.3 percent on the previous year, according to Airports Authority of India figures. It recorded about 25,700 aircraft movements and about 17,800 tonnes of cargo in the same period. Most passengers travel on routes to and from the Gulf.
Who operates Calicut airport?
Calicut International Airport is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). It opened on 13 April 1988 and received international airport status on 2 February 2006. The airport has one runway, 10/28, about 2,860 m long, built on a plateau above the surrounding countryside. Air India Express uses Calicut as an operating base.
Do foreign visitors need an e-Arrival card for India?
Yes. Foreign nationals, including OCI cardholders, must complete India's e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before landing instead of a paper disembarkation card. It is free on the Indian Visa Online portal, the Bureau of Immigration website or the Su-Swagatam app. Indian citizens traveling on an Indian passport do not need it.
Do I need a visa to fly into Calicut?
Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter India. Citizens of many countries can apply for an e-Visa online through the official Indian Visa Online portal before travel, and Calicut International Airport handles e-Visa arrivals. OCI cardholders do not need a visa. Check the current rules for your nationality on the official portal, and complete the e-Arrival card as well.
Is there a lounge at Calicut airport?
Yes. Bird Lounge is in the International Terminal, airside after security near Gate 1, and opens 24 hours for departing international passengers. Access is listed for Priority Pass and some Visa and Mastercard cardholders; check entry terms before you travel. No separate lounge is listed in the Domestic Terminal.
How do I get from Calicut airport to the city?
Prepaid taxis and app-based cabs wait outside the terminals, and car rental is available at the airport. KSRTC buses link the airport area with Kozhikode, but services are infrequent and less convenient with luggage. A pre-booked private transfer is the simplest way to reach a hotel or home in Kozhikode, Malappuram or further away, especially after a late-night Gulf flight.
What time zone is Calicut airport in?
Calicut airport is on India Standard Time (IST), UTC+5:30, all year, with no daylight saving time. Travelers arriving from the Gulf gain 1 hour 30 minutes from UAE and Oman time and 2 hours 30 minutes from Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain time. The currency is the Indian rupee (INR), and currency exchange counters and ATMs are available at the airport.