Tiruchirapalli Airport
Encyclopedia
Tiruchirapalli Airport or Trichy Airport is an airport mostly serving Tiruchirapalli
and adjacent districts in the state
of Tamil Nadu
, India
. The airport, located on the NH 210
Tiruchirapalli
- Rameswaram highway, is 5 km (3.1 mi) south of the city centre.
during World War II
and primarily used by the British Airforce
during the world wars. Damaged aircraft which landed in the airport were taken to a workshop in Ponmalai, at a distance of 2 km, repaired and brought back into service. The airport was given permission for civilian operations after the war. Actual passenger traffic started only in the early '80s. Air Lanka
started its operations in 1981 with a weekly flight to Colombo
and subsequently increased its operations to 11 flights a week. Indian Airlines started its operations to Chennai
and mid-east countries in mid '80s.
According to P. R. Brouse (Air Traffic controller at Trichy airport in 1942), the airport was used as race course during 1930-40's. The airport had no building except an ATC and a runway 600 metres long. According to him, Trichy airport handled TATA's Dakota flight. The aircraft from Mumbai
(via Bangalore) after refuelling at Trichy airport carried passengers to Colombo. Usually 5 to 20 people traveled on this flight from Trichy.
Air Ceylon (Srilankan Airlines) began operations in the late '40s while Indian
started services before 1980. Both airlines operated flights from Trichy to Colombo through Jaffna.
was extended from 6000 ft (1,828.8 m) to 8136 ft (2,479.9 m), apron
expanded to hold 10 aircraft,fire station upgraded,a new taxiway
and integrated passenger terminal were constructed.
The proposed Phase 2 expansion on 500 acre (2 km²) by AAI includes extending the runway to 12500 ft (3,810 m), construction of modern Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, additional building complex and other works. The state government
has agreed to provide land free to AAI for the phase 2 expansion.
The airport is one of the non-metro airports selected for city side development on public-private partnership
model.
equipped Cessna 172
R Aircraft.
based Tiger Airways
aircraft at the airport.
Tiruchirapalli
Tiruchirappalli ) , also called Tiruchi or Trichy , is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli District. It is the fourth largest municipal corporation in Tamil Nadu and also the fourth largest urban agglomeration in the state...
and adjacent districts in the state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The airport, located on the NH 210
National Highway 210 (India)
National Highway 210 is a National Highway in Southern India entirely within the state of Tamil Nadu. NH 210 runs from Trichy to Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu. Municipal office road in Trichy becomes NH 210 which on its way south east crosses the major towns Pudukottai and Karaikkudi and finally...
Tiruchirapalli
Tiruchirapalli
Tiruchirappalli ) , also called Tiruchi or Trichy , is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli District. It is the fourth largest municipal corporation in Tamil Nadu and also the fourth largest urban agglomeration in the state...
- Rameswaram highway, is 5 km (3.1 mi) south of the city centre.
History
This airport was built by the BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and primarily used by the British Airforce
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
during the world wars. Damaged aircraft which landed in the airport were taken to a workshop in Ponmalai, at a distance of 2 km, repaired and brought back into service. The airport was given permission for civilian operations after the war. Actual passenger traffic started only in the early '80s. Air Lanka
SriLankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Sri Lanka. It operates to destinations in Asia and Europe from its base and hub at Bandaranaike International Airport . The airline's trademark phrase is 'You're Our World', and the company's logo features a stylized peacock...
started its operations in 1981 with a weekly flight to Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
and subsequently increased its operations to 11 flights a week. Indian Airlines started its operations to Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
and mid-east countries in mid '80s.
According to P. R. Brouse (Air Traffic controller at Trichy airport in 1942), the airport was used as race course during 1930-40's. The airport had no building except an ATC and a runway 600 metres long. According to him, Trichy airport handled TATA's Dakota flight. The aircraft from Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
(via Bangalore) after refuelling at Trichy airport carried passengers to Colombo. Usually 5 to 20 people traveled on this flight from Trichy.
Air Ceylon (Srilankan Airlines) began operations in the late '40s while Indian
Indian (airline)
Indian , formerly Indian Airlines was a major Indian airline based in Delhi and focused primarily on domestic routes, along with several international services to neighbouring countries in Asia. It was state-owned, and was administered by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It was one of the two flag...
started services before 1980. Both airlines operated flights from Trichy to Colombo through Jaffna.
Terminals
The airport has two adjacent terminals. Currently the Integrated International terminal is being used for both International and Domestic air traffic. The old terminal has been converted into a International cargo complex, and will become operational soon.Passenger terminal
The new integrated passenger terminal built at cost of was inaugurated on 21 February 2009 and started its operations from 1 June 2009. The two storyed terminal has a total floor area of 11777 m² (126,766.6 sq ft). The terminal is designed to handle 400 passengers at a given point of time. Some of the features of the new terminal include:- 12 check-in counters
- 4 Custom counters (1 departure + 3 arrival)
- 16 Immigration Counters (8 departure + 8 arrival)
- 3 Conveyor belts (47 m (154.2 ft) each)
- 1 X-ray scanner for baggage
- Security check units = 2
- Total aircraft stands = 7
- 3 for code D aircraft
- 4 for code C aircraft
Cargo complex
The old terminal at the airport has been converted into an International cargo complex. The 4000 m² (43,055.6 sq ft) cargo complex was commissioned for operations on 21 November 2011. The Central Board of Excise and Customs had earlier approved and notified the airport as an air cargo complex. The airport is the gateway for foreign export as there is no easy way for export from the central region of Tamil Nadu. A huge variety and quantity of products including perishable and non perishable items, garments, hand loom, computer hardware are produced in this region hence the airport has a high demand for cargo traffic. It is estimated that about 6000 to 7000 tonnes of goods can be exported through it.Expansion
Tiruchirapalli Airport has been on expansion mode since 2004. The runwayRunway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
was extended from 6000 ft (1,828.8 m) to 8136 ft (2,479.9 m), apron
Airport ramp
The airport ramp or apron is part of an airport. It is usually the area where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled or boarded. Although the use of the apron is covered by regulations, such as lighting on vehicles, it is typically more accessible to users than the runway or taxiway...
expanded to hold 10 aircraft,fire station upgraded,a new taxiway
Taxiway
A taxiway is a path on an airport connecting runways with ramps, hangars, terminals and other facilities. They mostly have hard surface such as asphalt or concrete, although smaller airports sometimes use gravel or grass....
and integrated passenger terminal were constructed.
The proposed Phase 2 expansion on 500 acre (2 km²) by AAI includes extending the runway to 12500 ft (3,810 m), construction of modern Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, additional building complex and other works. The state government
Government of Tamil Nadu
The Government of Tamil Nadu, headquartered at Chennai is the governing authority for the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. It is seated at the Fort St. George...
has agreed to provide land free to AAI for the phase 2 expansion.
The airport is one of the non-metro airports selected for city side development on public-private partnership
Public-private partnership
Public–private partnership describes a government service or private business venture which is funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies...
model.
International Terminal
Flight Training and pilot training centres
The airport is also home to a Flying Training Academy. VKN Aviation Academy, promoted by the VKN Group, operates out of a 10,000 sq, ft. plot on the airfield with Five Glass cockpitGlass cockpit
A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays, typically large LCD screens, as opposed to the traditional style of analog dials and gauges...
equipped Cessna 172
Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. First flown in 1955 and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.-Design and development:...
R Aircraft.
Maintenance
Air India Express has opened an engineering complex for service and repair of its aircraft based in the airport. Air Works has line maintenance facility to conduct transit checks on SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
based Tiger Airways
Tiger Airways
Tiger Airways Singapore Pte Ltd, operating as Tiger Airways Singapore, is a low cost airline which commenced services on 25 March 2005. It is a subsidiary of Tiger Airways Holdings, a Singapore-based company, which is owned partially by Singapore Airlines...
aircraft at the airport.
External links
- Tiruchirapalli Airport at the Airports Authority of IndiaAirports Authority of IndiaThe Airports Authority of India is an organization working under the Ministry of Civil Aviation that manages most of the airports in India. The AAI manages and operates 126 airports including 16 international airports, 89 domestic airports and 26 civil enclaves. The corporate headquarters are at...