Performance pays as Tiruchy airport upgraded to Grade II

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) used to categorise the airports functioning under its control as per the number of passenger handled and based on the category, the Airport Directors have been appointed.

In such a backdrop, the Tiruchy International Airport had handled as many as 14,483 air services, including 8,895 international services and 5,519 domestic services in 2019-20 through which 16.11 lakh passengers, including 13.14 lakh international passengers were handled.

Since, the airport handled more than 15 lakh passengers in a year, the airport which was in the Grade III was upgraded to Grade II by the AAI. The order was issued by the Executive Director of AAI on April 16, 2020.

Airport Director Gunasekaran said, the upgradation would help to improve the administrative infrastructure of the airport as well as improve the manpower through which, the staff strength would also be augmented.

Commenting on the development, Tiruchy MP and Airports Advisory Committee Chairman Su Thirunavukkarasar said, “This would certainly help to complete the long pending runway expansion project.”

While the new terminal construction to the tune of Rs 950 crore is underway, the upgradation would help the airport avoid unwarranted delay in administrative processes and would also get the due funds for the development, he added.

14,483 air services

8,895 international services

5,519 domestic services

16.11 lakh passengers handled

13.14 lakh international passengers