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Tiruchirappalli International Airport

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Tiruchirappalli International Airport
  • IATA: TRZ
  • ICAO: VOTR
    Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 526: Unable to find the specified location map definition: "Module:Location map/data/India airport" does not exist.Location of TRZ in India
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerMinistry of Civil Aviation
OperatorAirports Authority of India
ServesTiruchirapalli and Central districts of Tamilnadu
LocationTiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India
Elevation AMSL288 ft / 88 m
Coordinates10°45′55″N 078°42′35″E / 10.76528°N 78.70972°E / 10.76528; 78.70972
Websitehttp://aai.aero
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
09/27 2,480 8,136 Asphalt
Statistics (Apr '11 – Mar '12)
Passenger movements908,771
Aircraft movements9,583
Cargo tonnage2,012
Source: AAI [1][2][3]

Tiruchirappalli International Airport[4] or Trichy International Airport (IATA: TRZ, ICAO: VOTR) is an international airport[5] 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)[6] south of the city center. Trichy Airport is an ISO 9001:2008 certified Airport.[7][8] Trichy airport was declared an international airport on 4 October 2012 along with Lucknow, Varanasi, Coimbatore and Mangalore airports.[5][9] and the same was notified by AAI on 22 October 2012.

History

This airport was built by the British during World War II and primarily used by the British Airforce during the world wars. Damaged aircraft which landed at 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 ended. 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 14 flights a week currently. Indian Airlines started its operations to Chennai and mid-east countries in mid '80s.

Air Ceylon (Srilankan Airlines)[10] began operations in the late '40s while Indian started services before 1980.[11] Both airlines operated flights from Trichy to Colombo through Jaffna. The airport was a Customs Airport until 4 October 2012, when it was given an International Airport status by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.[5][12]

The Indra ATS Automation system was installed at Trichy in April, 2012 to help the Air Traffic Control increase safety and security at the airport.

Time Line

  • 1930-40's - According to P. R. Brouse (Air Traffic controller at Trichy airport in 1942), the airport was used as race course during these period. The airport had no building except an ATC and a runway 600 metres long.
  • 1936 - First Airmail for Colombo from India was carried by the TATA's "Goodwill Flight", piloted by H.D.Barucha on December 23, 1936, which took off from Bombay for Colombo after stopping at Hyderabad, Madras and Trichinopoly.[13]
  • 1941 - A regular service on the Bombay - Trivandrum - Tirchinopoly route, which had been stopped earlier was resumed on November 4, 1941.[14]
  • 1947 - Ceylon Government asked permission of the Indian Government for the operation of Flights Thrice weekly flights between Colombo and Trichinopoly.[15]
  • 1948 - Trichinopoly Aerodrome was given an improvement for full functioning. The Government of India suggested the operation of "Air Ceylon Service" to Trichinopoly, as long as there were no other Indian Airline operating services on the Trichinopoly - Madras route. the airline carried mail and Freight on this Sector.[16]
  • 1948 - Air Ceylon inaugurated a regular Weekly Commercial service between Colombo and Karachi on 3 December 1948, using a Dakota Flight with passengers through Trichinopoly and Bombay[17]

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 at the airport has been converted into an International cargo complex. The 4,000 m2 (43,000 sq ft) cargo complex was commissioned for operations on 21 November 2011.[18]

Passenger terminal

Srilankan Airlines Airbus A320-200 parked at the ramp area.
AIX and UL parked at TRZ using Aero Bridges
Srilankan Airlines A320 using Aero Bridges
Apron
Apron
Air India Express and Srilankan Airlines for departure

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.[19] The two storyed terminal has a total floor area of 11,700 m2 (126,000 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:[20]

  • 20 check-in counters
  • 6 Custom counters (2 departure + 4 arrival)
  • 16 Immigration Counters (8 departure + 8 arrival)
  • 3 Conveyor belts (47 m (154 ft) each)
  • 1 Baggage assistance counter
  • 1 Health officer counter
  • 5 X-ray scanner for baggage (3 for registered baggage and 2 for hand baggage)[21]
  • Security check units = 2
  • 210 CISF strength
  • Total aircraft stands = 7
    • 3 for code D aircraft
    • 4 for code C aircraft

The new terminal has two lounges, VIP lounge managed by AAI and Commercial Important persons (CIP) lounge also managed by AAI

Cargo terminal

The old terminal at the airport has been converted into an International cargo complex at a cost of 1 crores.[22] The 4,000 m2 (43,000 sq ft) cargo complex was commissioned for operations on 21 November 2011.[18] The Central Board of Excise and Customs had earlier approved and notified the airport as an air cargo complex.[23] The One-time holding capacity of the cargo terminal is 250 metric tonnes[24] The airport is the gateway for foreign export as there is no easy way for export from the central region of Tamil Nadu.[25]

Special Facilities[26]

  • State-of-the-art X-Ray scanning system
  • Embedded Electronic Weighing scale
  • Precision Scale
  • Strong Room for valuable cargo
  • Trained and certified Officer for accepting & handling Dangerous Goods
  • Cold Room for perishable cargo to take care of advance booking/flight delays
  • Forklift for Heavy Cargo
  • Dangerous Goods Shed

Runway

Trichy Airport initially had two intersecting runways. The shorter 4,776 ft (1,456 m) feet long runway 15/33 with PCN 15F/B/W/T was closed and is now used as an alternative taxiway to the international apron. The current runway under utilization, 09/27 is 8,136 ft (2,480 m) long with a PCN 40 F/B/W/T and has turning pads at both ends.[27] The asphalt runway has a CA-1 ILS (Runway 27 only) and Runway Edge-Lights. The other landing aids include a PAPI, HIRL, AFL and SAPL.[28]

Expansion

Tiruchirapalli Airport has been on expansion mode since 2004. The runway was extended from 6,000 ft (1,829 m) to 8,136 ft (2,480 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 510 acres (2.1 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.[29] 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 ₹200 crore (US$24 million) city side development on public-private partnership model. [citation needed]

Recent Progress

The AAI has sought around 510 acres of Land for the current Expansion, Of the total land sought about 188 acres are dry land, 116 acres wetland, 164 acres Defense land, 40.59 acres wasteland and 5.80 is with Hindu religious and Charitable Trust.

To facilitate fast process on Airport expansion a joint technical advisory committee involving the departments of agriculture, public works department and revenue had been formed chaired by Mr. P.Kumar, Trichy MP. The district administration has formed a special team comprising the Airport Director, Revenue Divisional Officer, Joint Director of Agriculture, officials of Public Works Department, and other agencies concerned to expedite the land acquisition process. According to the Committee the Land acquisition is decided to be carried out in Three Phases. In the First Phase the lands on either side of the existing runway is to be acquired immediately. In the second phase, acquisition of wet and dry land could be taken up, and in the third phase the Defence land could be acquired.[30] Recently it was decided to Acquire the Defense land first, as there is consistent agitation from the Farmers for acquiring Farm lands, later on the remaining lands would be acquired.[31]

Runway Extension

In order felicitate Trichy Airport as an International Airport a minimum runway length of 9,000 feet is required for which the committee has decided to expand the runway to around 10,500 ft (3,200 m) initially from the existing 8,136 ft (2,480 m). Later it would be extended to the planned 12500 feet. Also the district administration has expressed its willingness to pay the market price for the land to be acquired.[32]

Terminal Expansion

Owing to the increased passenger and Aircraft Traffic a proposal was sent for the expansion of the New Terminal Building, in which the terminal is proposed to be extended up to 40 meters on both sides of the building or on the left side alone on the Airport Police Station Premises. Along with this another proposal for installing third aero-bridge was also sent. Once the approval is sought, the work would start based on the Tender Process.[33]

Apron Expansion

Recently tenders have been called by AAI for the extension of Apron and Construction of Ramp Equipment Area at Trichy Airport at an estimated cost of Rs.199.57 lakhs with period of completion of 6 months.[34] With this expansion it is expected to increase the number of parking bays and there is also an provision for third aero bridge in the Integrated terminal which is also expected to be commissioned once the extension is completed as it is possible only after this.

Cargo Shipments

Trichy airport had export 991 tonnes of cargo from December 2011 to May 31, 2012, the airport had exported 93 tonnes in December and it gradually increased to 285 tonnes in May. At present four airlines Air Asia, Sri Lankan Airlines, Mihin Lanka and Tiger Airways [35] are handling the cargo movements by its passenger aircraft. Sri Lankan Airlines has maintained its lead as the single largest exporter of cargo from Trichy. The carrier exported a total of 1,429 tonnes for the 2011-12 fiscal.[36]

A cargo facilitation committee including airline operators, customs officers, IATA agents, exporters and importers has been formed and it meets every second Thursday. This is in order to facilitate trade needs of districts such as Trichy, Karur, Namakkal,Pudukottai, Thanjavur for various non-perishable export items, and also serve coastal areas like Nagapattinam, Karaikkal, and Ramanathapuram for marine products also to boost the export of green plantain from the largest banana producing region, textiles from Karur.[24]

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
AirAsiaKuala Lumpur
Air India ExpressChennai, Dubai, Singapore
Jet KonnectChennai
Mihin LankaColombo
Spice JetChennai
SriLankan AirlinesColombo
Tiger AirwaysSingapore

Pilot training centres

The airport is also home to a Flying Training Academy. VKN Aviation Academy, promoted by the VKN Group,[37] operates out of a 10,000 sq, ft. plot on the airfield with Five Glass cockpit equipped four seater Cessna 172 R Aircraft.[38] The Academy provides training for obtaining two types of licence:

  • Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
  • Private Pilot License (PPL)

Maintenance

  • Air Works has line maintenance facility [39] to conduct transit checks on Airbus A320 type aircraft, which is the second one opened by them next to their Bangalore Facility and it was opened on Behalf of Singapore based Tiger Airways for its aircraft Maintenance at the airport.[40]
  • The low cost carrier Air India Express has an engineering stores complex for service and repairs of its aircraft's. It would help quick turn around of the aircraft's. Repair works could also be carried out here. Initially Four licensed engineers and eight technicians are posted to meet the service and repair requirements of the aircraft's. The stores would also have adequate spares and equipment.[41]

Incidents and accidents

  • A near-collision between an Indian Airlines aircraft bound for Madurai and Jet Airways flight from Thiruvanathapuram over Tiruchirappalli air space was averted around 1.14 pm on Jun 5, 2010 by timely alertness of pilots of both the planes, together carrying 242 people. On nearing Tiruchirappalli airspace, both the planes almost came close but the IA pilot reduced the altitude and brought the aircraft down while the Jet Airways pilot gained altitude to increase the gap between them averting a mere collision.[42]
  • A major disaster was averted at the Tiruchirappalli airport on 7 November 2011 when an Air India flight carrying 25 people from Chennai to Abu Dhabi was allegedly cleared for landing before a Jet Airways flight bound to Chennai with 65 passengers took off from the same run way. The landing was aborted at the last minute and the collision was averted.[43][44]
  • passage towards arrival lobby
    passage towards arrival lobby
  • Waiting hall
    Waiting hall
  • Check in zone
    Check in zone
  • Aerobridge
    Aerobridge
  • Air India Express Boeing 737-800 at the airport
    Air India Express Boeing 737-800 at the airport
  • The airport
    The airport
  • Indian Airbus A321 at the airport
    Indian Airbus A321 at the airport
  • The airport
    The airport
  • Srilankan Airlines Airbus A320 at the airport
    Srilankan Airlines Airbus A320 at the airport
  • Cessna 172 R Glass Cockpit Aircraft
    Cessna 172 R Glass Cockpit Aircraft
  • Aerial view of Trichy Airport
    Aerial view of Trichy Airport
  • Srilankan Airlines Parked at TRZ
    Srilankan Airlines Parked at TRZ
  • View of Aero Bridges at TRZ
    View of Aero Bridges at TRZ
  • View of Duty Free Shop at TRZ
    View of Duty Free Shop at TRZ
  • View of Restaurant in Integrated Terminal of TRZ
    View of Restaurant in Integrated Terminal of TRZ
  • Air India Express fleet stored at TRZ for next consecutive operation
    Air India Express fleet stored at TRZ for next consecutive operation

See also

References

  1. ^ TRAFFIC STATISTICS – INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS 3. www.aai.aero
  2. ^ TRAFFIC STATISTICS – INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS 2. www.aai.aero
  3. ^ TRAFFIC STATISTICS – INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS 4. www.aai.aero
  4. ^ "Airports Authority of India". Aai.aero. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  5. ^ a b c "Press Information Bureau English Releases". Pib.nic.in. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  6. ^ Tiruchirapalli Airport at the Airports Authority of India
  7. ^ "Iso Certification Of Airports Under Various Standards" (PDF). Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  8. ^ http://www.aai.aero/tenders/qmstrichy.pdf
  9. ^ Our Bureau (7 June 2012). "PM gives infrastructure boost to sagging economy - Business Line". Thehindubusinessline.com. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  10. ^ Air Ceylon Dakota "Sunethra Devi". Sundaytimes.lk (1999-12-19). Retrieved on 2011-12-18.
  11. ^ "Indian Airlines' route network". Flight Global. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  12. ^ http://www.ptinews.com/news/3024023_Cabinet-grants-intl-airport-status-to-five-airports-
  13. ^ The Indian Express Digital Image on Google News
  14. ^ The Indian Express Digital Image on Google News
  15. ^ The Indian Express Digital Image on Google News
  16. ^ The Indian Express Digital Image on Google News
  17. ^ The Indian Express Digital Image on Google News
  18. ^ a b Cargo complex commissioned. Thehindu.com (2011-11-22). Retrieved on 2011-12-18.
  19. ^ "Trichy Airport new terminal inauguration". The Hindu. 18 February 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  20. ^ "Trichy Airport new terminal". Equity Bulls. 22 February 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  21. ^ "Airports Authority of India". Aai.aero. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  22. ^ TNN Nov 22, 2011, 02.22AM IST (22 November 2011). "Trichy's int'l air cargo terminal opens at Trichy airport - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 29 March 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ Cargo Notification. Hindu.com (2011-01-22). Retrieved on 2011-12-18.
  24. ^ a b Dennis Selvan, TNN Jun 8, 2012, 04.38AM IST (8 June 2012). "With new international tag, Trichy airport hopes to go for a makeover - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 29 March 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ Today's Paper News : Air cargo complex in Tiruchi to start functioning from August 15. The Hindu (2011-04-22). Retrieved on 2011-12-18.
  26. ^ "Airports Authority of India". Aai.aero. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  27. ^ "Tiruchirappalli - Votr". World Aero Data. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  28. ^ "Airports Authority of India". Aai.aero. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  29. ^ Phase 2 expansion works. Thehindu.com (2010-09-15). Retrieved on 2011-12-18.
  30. ^ Special Correspondent (22 January 2012). "NATIONAL / TAMIL NADU : Land acquisition for airport expansion in three phases". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 May 2012. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  31. ^ Special Correspondent (22 June 2012). "Report on land acquisition for airport sent to CLA". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 March 2013. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  32. ^ "Committee formed for runway expansion at Trichy airport - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  33. ^ [1][dead link]
  34. ^ "Airports Authority of India". Aai.aero. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  35. ^ Dennis Selvan, TNN Sep 21, 2012, 04.12AM IST (21 September 2012). "Tiger Airways begins cargo service from Trichy - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 29 March 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ Jul 4, 2012, 05.37AM IST (1 June 2012). "Exports & imports: Courier firms want Trichy airport notified - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 29 March 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  37. ^ VKN Aviation Academy. Vknplanecompany.com. Retrieved on 2011-12-18.
  38. ^ "Tiruchy to get flying school shortly". kalvimalar.dinamalar.com. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  39. ^ "Air Works India website, Press Release". www.airworks.in. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  40. ^ Air Works maintenance. Hindu.com (2011-01-05). Retrieved on 2011-12-18.
  41. ^ Air India maintenance. Hindu.com (2010-12-16). Retrieved on 2011-12-18.
  42. ^ "Near-collision between two aircraft over Trichy averted - India - DNA". Dnaindia.com. 5 June 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  43. ^ "Major air collision averted in Trichy". NDTV.com. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  44. ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.comvideos/news/DGCA-orders-full-probe-into-Trichy-near-crash/videoshow/10668729.cms
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