Tiruchirappalli International Airport

Tiruchirapalli Airport

தி௫ச்சிராப்பள்ளி வானூர்தி நிலையம்
Tiruchirapalli Airport; தி௫ச்சிராப்பள்ளி வானூர்தி நிலையம்
	IATA: TRZ; ICAO: VOTR TRZLocation of TRZ in India;
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner	Ministry of Civil Aviation
Operator	Airports Authority of India
Serves	Tiruchirapalli
Location	Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India
Elevation AMSL	288 ft / 88 m
Coordinates	10°45′55″N 078°42′35″E / 10.76528°N 78.70972°E
Website	http://aai.aero
Runways
Statistics (2010 April To November)
International Passenger movements
International Passenger movements	424,225
International Aircraft movements	3,768
Domestic Passenger movements	56,631
Domestic Aircraft movements	822

Tiruchirapalli Airport (Tamil: தி௫ச்சிராப்பள்ளி வானூர்தி நிலையம்) or Trichy Airport (IATA: TRZ, ICAO: VOTR) is a major 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)^[3] south of the city centre.

History

This airport was built by the British during World War II and primarily used by the British Airforce during the world wars. Damaged flights which landed in the airport were taken to a workshop in Ponmalai, at a distance of 2 km, repaired and brought back to 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. ^{[citation needed]}

Air Ceylon (Srilankan Airlines)^[4] began operations in the late '40s while Indian started services before 1980^{[citation needed]}. Both airlines operated flights from Trichy to Colombo through Jaffna.

Terminals

The airport has two adjacent terminals. Currently only the newer terminal is being used for air traffic. The old terminal is being converted into a cargo complex, and is expected to become operational soon.^[5]

Passenger terminal

The new integrated passenger terminal built at cost of ₹80 crore (US$9.6 million) was inaugurated on 21 February 2009 and started its operations from 1 June 2009.^[6] The two storyed terminal has a total floor area of 11,777 m² (126,770 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:^[7]

12 check-in counters
14 Custom counters (2 departure + 12 arrival)
16 Immigration Counters (8 departure + 8 arrival)
3 Conveyor belts (47 m (154 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 Central Board of Excise and Customs has approved and notified the airport as an air cargo complex.^[8] The cargo complex will function from the airport's old terminal.The complex is expected to start operations as soon as the infrastructure work is completed by AAI.The airport would be a 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 have a high demand for cargo traffic.

Expansion

Tiruchirapalli Airport has been on expansion mode since 2004. The runway was extended from 6,000 ft (1,829 m) to {{convert|8136|ft|m|abbr=on|sigfig=4},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 acres (2.0 km²) by AAI includes extending the runway to 12,500 ft (3,810 m), construction of modern Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, additional building complex and other works.^[9] The state government has agreed to provide land free to AAI for the phase 2 expansion.

The Phase 2 expansion is set to gain momentum with the High court bench dismissing the public interest litigation petition against runway expansion.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

Maintenance

Air India has opened an Engineering Complex for service and repairs of its two B737-800 aircraft based in the airport. The engineering complex will ensure quick turnaround and service of aircraft.^[10] Air Works has Line Maintenance Facility to conduct transit checks on Singapore based Tiger Airways aircraft at the airport.^[11]