Tuticorin Airport

History

Tuticorin airport was inaugurated in 1992, with the first aircraft, belonging to the regional carrier Vayudoot, landing on 13 April. This service was short-lived and operated only for 14 months. Three years later, NEPC Airlines operated a regular service from Chennai to Thoothukudi via Kochi for about six months. A decade later, Air Deccan began flights to the airport on 1 April 2006.

Facilities

The airport had a 1350 m long, and 30 m wide asphalt runway, which was extended to 3115 m length and expanded to 45 m width in 2025. It is equipped with a Cat-I Instrument Landing System. There is a 1573 m long and 23 m wide parallel taxiway, and a 149 m long taxi way linking the main taxiway to the runway. The main apron measuring 191 x 89 m, is capable of accommodating five narrow body aircraft. A separate parking bay measuring 76 x 91 m can accommodate an additional aircraft, which is linked to the runway by a 244.5 m long taxiway.

In September 2020, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced an expansion project that included the expansion of the runway and taxiway, construction of new parking bays, Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, and terminal building at a total cost of . About 600.97 acre of land was earmarked for the expansion of the airport, and an additional 110 acre of land was set aside for the usage of Indian Air Force and the Indian Coastguard. The expansion project was initiated on 25 July 2020. A technical block and a fire station were also constructed as a part of the project. Night landing facilities were established at the airport in 2020 with the first night landing on 3 July 2020.

The new terminal building covers an area of 17341 m2, and is capable of handling up to 1,400 passengers per hour. It is equipped with three aerobridges, four entry gates, seven baggage scanners, and 21 check-in counters. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal building on 26 July 2025.

Image:BombardierQ400 TuticorinAirport.jpg|An aircraft parked at the apron File:Tuticorin Airport (inside).jpg|Interior of the new terminal File:Airside Facade New Terminal Tuticorin Airport Aug25 A7CR 07474.jpg|Airside facade of the new terminal File:Airside Facade New Control Tower Tuticorin Airport Aug25 A7CR 07475.jpg|Air Traffic Control tower

Airlines and destinations

|IndiGo|Bengaluru, Chennai

References

References

1. "Annexure III – Passenger Data". [[Airports Authority of India]].
2. "Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data". [[Airports Authority of India]].
3. "Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data". [[Airports Authority of India]].
4. (24 May 2013). "Demand to modernise Tuticorin airport". [[The Hindu]].
5. "Short quotation notice". [[Airports Authority of India]].
6. (22 July 2025). "New-look Thoothukudi airport ready with extended runway to receive larger flights even after dusk". [[The Hindu]].
7. "PFR for the Extension of Runway with Blast Pad, RESA, Taxiway, Apron, GSE Area, Isolation Bay, New Domestic Terminal Building & Miscellenious Works at Tuticorin Airport". [[Airports Authority of India]].
8. (18 September 2020). "Tuticorin airport being upgraded at a cost of Rs 381 cr". [[Business World]].
9. (25 July 2020). "Expansion of Thoothukudi airport runway begins". [[The Hindu]].
10. (18 September 2020). "Tuticorin Airport Being Upgraded For Rs 381 Crore: Airports Authority Of India". [[Bloomberg Quint]].
11. (3 July 2020). "Tuticorin airport handles its first night flight". [[The Times of India]].
12. (26 July 2025). "PM Modi inaugurates new terminal building of Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin airport". [[Hindustan Times]].
13. (31 March 2025). "SpiceJet resumes flight services to Thoothukudi". [[The Hindu]].
14. "Flying regional from Chennai on IndiGo's small aircraft? Head to Terminal 4 instead of Terminal 1 from June 1". [[MSN]].