Tuticorin Airport in Tamil Nadu Gets Major Upgrades for Bigger Planes and More Passengers
Tuticorin Airport in Tamil Nadu is undergoing significant upgrades to improve its facilities and capacity. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is investing Rs381 crore in this project, which includes extending the runway to accommodate A-321 aircraft, constructing a new terminal building, apron, technical block-cum-control tower, and fire station.
New Terminal Building
The new terminal building will cover 17,500 sq m and will be able to accommodate 1,440 passengers during peak hours, handling up to 2 million passengers annually. It will feature modern facilities and passenger amenities, including three aerobridges. The terminal will be a four-star GRIHA-rated, energy-efficient building with sustainability features.
Runway Extension and Other Upgrades
The existing runway will be extended from 1,350 metres to 3,115 metres, making it suitable for A-321 aircraft operations. Additional works include the construction of a new ATC tower-cum-technical block, a fire station, apron extension for parking five A-321 aircraft, an isolation bay, link taxi track, and part-parallel taxi track.
Current Operations and Future Impact
Currently, Tuticorin Airport is connected to Chennai and Bengaluru with six daily flights, accommodating 156 passengers during peak hours and handling 300,000 passengers annually, primarily operating ATR-type aircraft. The upgrades will meet the local community’s demand for improved passenger services and boost trade and tourism in Tuticorin and nearby districts such as Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, and Virudhunagar.
The construction of the new terminal building and runway extension is expected to be completed by December 2024, according to AAI.
Doubts Revealed
Tuticorin Airport -: Tuticorin Airport is an airport located in the city of Tuticorin, which is in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
Tamil Nadu -: Tamil Nadu is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its rich culture, temples, and beautiful landscapes.
Rs381 crore -: Rs381 crore means 381 crore rupees. A crore is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to ten million (10,000,000). So, Rs381 crore is 3,810,000,000 rupees.
2 million passengers -: 2 million passengers means 20 lakh passengers. A lakh is another unit in the Indian numbering system equal to one hundred thousand (100,000).
A-321 aircraft -: A-321 aircraft is a type of airplane made by Airbus. It is bigger than many other planes and can carry more passengers.
December 2024 -: December 2024 is the month and year when the project is expected to be finished. It means the end of the year 2024.
local trade and tourism -: Local trade means buying and selling goods within the area. Tourism means people visiting a place for fun or to see interesting things.