Tuticorin Airport in Tamil Nadu is undergoing a significant upgrade, with an expected completion date in December 2024. The project, valued at Rs 3.81billion, is being carried out by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and involves the extension of the runway to accommodate A-321 type aircraft, construction of a new apron, a new terminal building, a technical block with a control tower, and a new fire station.

The new terminal building, covering 17,500 square meters, will significantly enhance the airport's capacity, enabling it to serve 1,440 passengers during peak hours and handle up to 2 million passengers annually. It will feature modern facilities, including three aerobridges, and will be designed as a four-star GRIHA-rated energy-efficient building with sustainability features.

As part of the upgrade, the runway will be extended from its current length of 1,350 meters to 3,115 meters. This extension will allow the airport to accommodate A-321 type aircraft, significantly expanding its operational capabilities. The project also includes the construction of a new air traffic control tower and technical block, a fire station, an extended apron to park five Airbus-321 type aircraft, an isolation bay, a link taxi track, and a part parallel taxi track.

Currently, Tuticorin Airport is connected to Chennai and Bengaluru with six daily flights and is capable of serving 156 passengers during peak hours, accommodating around 300,000 passengers annually. The upgradation is set to boost not only passenger services but also trade and tourism in Tuticorin and neighbouring districts such as Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, and Virudhunagar.

(ET)