Trichy Airport Submits Ambitious Runway Extension Proposal to Airports Authority
The Trichy International Airport has taken a significant step toward major infrastructure enhancement by submitting a comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) headquarters in New Delhi. The proposal seeks formal approval for a substantial runway extension project estimated to cost approximately ₹350 crore, marking a pivotal moment in the airport's development trajectory.
Project Details and Land Acquisition Status
According to the submitted plan, the airport aims to extend its existing 8,136-foot runway to an impressive 12,500 feet, representing an increase of nearly 4,500 feet. Airport Director S S Raju revealed that approximately ₹220 crore of the total budget would be allocated specifically for the runway extension and construction of a parallel taxiway. The remaining ₹130 crore would cover various ancillary works essential for the expansion.
Land acquisition for this ambitious project has progressed substantially, with nearly 500 acres already secured through collaborative efforts between the AAI and the Tamil Nadu government. This includes defense land that was necessary for the expansion plans. The airport currently occupies 702 acres, with the expansion requiring an additional 512.5 acres to accommodate the extended infrastructure.
Growing Traffic Demands Infrastructure Enhancement
The proposal comes in response to steadily increasing passenger traffic and growing freight movement through Trichy Airport. Director Raju provided compelling statistics, noting that passenger traffic has already reached 1.7 million passengers as of December 2025, with projections indicating the airport will surpass the two million passenger mark for the first time in the current financial year. This represents an impressive 11% growth compared to the previous year's 1.9 million passengers.
Currently limited to handling narrow-body aircraft, the extended runway would enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, potentially opening new international routes and boosting regional economic development. Trichy MP and Airport Advisory Committee chairman Durai Vaiko enthusiastically welcomed the development, pledging to engage with authorities in New Delhi to expedite the approval process. He emphasized that a longer runway would facilitate additional international destinations and significantly enhance export capabilities, particularly for food and agricultural products from the region.
Infrastructure Upgrades Already Underway
Even as the runway expansion proposal awaits approval, the AAI has been actively enhancing existing airport infrastructure. Recent improvements include:
- Installation of runway guard lights at a cost of ₹32 lakh, enabling operations during low-visibility conditions with a runway visual range of 550 meters
- Addition of five new passenger boarding bridges costing ₹14.8 crore, currently undergoing testing procedures
- Introduction of 640 new baggage trolleys to improve passenger convenience
- Construction of departure and arrival canopies worth ₹5.5 crore
- Implementation of Wi-Fi facilities through BSNL services
With these additions, Trichy Airport will now feature ten passenger boarding bridges, placing it among only three AAI-operated airports—alongside Chennai and Kolkata—with this level of boarding infrastructure capacity.
Project Timeline and Additional Developments
Once the DPR receives clearance from AAI headquarters, the tendering process will commence, with expansion work anticipated to begin before 2026. Preliminary construction activities are already scheduled, including the building of compound walls around the newly acquired land at an estimated cost of ₹24 crore.
In parallel developments, the airport administration plans to award master concessions for retail outlets by March 2026 and food and beverage services by June 2026, further enhancing passenger amenities and commercial revenue streams.
This comprehensive expansion plan represents a strategic investment in Trichy's aviation infrastructure, positioning the airport to meet growing regional demand while supporting economic growth through improved connectivity and cargo handling capabilities.
