Latest news with #SGnaneswaraRao
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trichy airport sees record 76k domestic flyers in June
1 2 3 TRICHY: Trichy International Airport recorded its highest-ever domestic passenger traffic in June, handling 76,035 passengers — a 64% increase over the same month last year, according to data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Though only one new domestic destination was introduced and 22 weekly services added, Trichy recorded the highest rise in domestic traffic among 33 international airports in the country. Integration of flight services in both incoming and outgoing traffic is one of the main reasons for the surge in domestic passengers. In June 2024, the airport handled 46,375 domestic passengers through 80 weekly flights to four cities. By June 2025, this rose to 76,035 passengers via 102 weekly flights to five destinations. Although the number of weekly flights grew by just 27%, passenger numbers jumped 64%. Traditionally seen as an international hub, Trichy airport is increasingly being used by passengers to access other international gateways such as Kochi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, especially for Gulf-bound travel. In turn, passengers from those cities are flying into Trichy to tap into its strong Southeast Asia connectivity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2023 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo Kochi was the latest addition in May 2025 and offers tourists quick access to Velankanni. Until March 22, Indigo operated all domestic services from Trichy. The entry of Air India Express, with new flights to Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, boosted domestic footfall. 'We persuaded Air India Express to launch domestic services. New Delhi is under consideration. We'll also push Indigo to expand its offerings from Trichy,' said MP and airport advisory committee chairman Durai Vaiko. 'Airlines will be suggested to move ATR flights to smaller airports and introduce narrowbody flights for domestic services connecting Trichy. New flight connectivity from Trichy to Kolkata is on cards too,' airport director S Gnaneswara Rao said. 'There is demand for connectivity to Trivandrum, Mysore, and Kannur. Trichy is better connected to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore than many tier-I cities,' said aviation analyst H Ubaidullah.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Time of India
New control tower at Trichy airport likely to be ready by Dec
Trichy: Airports Authority of India (AAI) said that the new air traffic control (ATC) tower and technical block at the Trichy airport is likely to be ready by Dec this year. The tower which will serve the increased traffic of the new integrated passenger terminal was slated to completed by this month. The 151ft-tall tower will feature an eight-storey ATC block and four-storey technical block, proposed at an outlay of Rs 60.7 crore. Construction work for the new block began in said around 75% of work has been completed so far. "We have planned to complete the work by Sep. Subsequently, a team from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will inspect and approve it for commissioning. It may become operational by Dec," S Gnaneswara Rao, director of Trichy airport, told TOI. The new ATC tower is being constructed between the old terminal and new integrated passenger terminal, providing a clear view of aircrafts approaching and leaving the runway. Trichy airport is currently handling 53 to 62 flights (both domestic and international) per day, up from 40 to 50 flights handled per day in Feb this year. Due to the increase in flight services, AAI had commissioned a Doppler Very High-Frequency Omni Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (DVOR/DME), an advanced navigational facility, at the Trichy airport. Meanwhile, aviation enthusiasts urged the AAI to preserve the old ATC tower, which was opened in Nov 1960, as a heritage site. "Instead of demolishing the existing ATC tower after the new facility becomes operational, AAI must consider using the 65-year-old tower for educational and training purposes," H Ubaidullah, an aviation analyst, said. Officials that a decision on making use of the old ATC tower is yet to be finalised.
