The new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at Trichy International Airport is anticipated to become operational by 2027, following the completion of construction and mandatory safety clearances from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), airport director SS Raju announced on Saturday.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has obtained a no-objection certificate (NOC) to increase the tower's height from the originally planned 46 meters to 53 meters, enhancing visibility of the runway and other critical operational areas.
"Civil work will be fast-tracked, and we will expedite the commissioning of the new tower," Raju stated. AAI has allocated Rs 60 crore for the ATC tower-cum-technical block project. Construction was paused in September 2025 after authorities discovered that certain areas near the runway were not visible from the proposed tower. The revised height is expected to provide a 360-degree view of the airfield, including sections affected by the runway extension.
Regarding the future of the old terminal building, vacated after operations shifted to the New Integrated Passenger Terminal Building (NIPTB) in June 2024, Raju mentioned that a proposal to repurpose the facility is in its final stage. "The proposal is in the final stage. Soon, a decision will be taken by the headquarters to repurpose the building," he said. Options under consideration include cargo operations, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, and commercial activities such as a hotel or multiplex.
Raju also noted that aircraft movements at Trichy airport have surged by 94.5% over the past 12 years, from 9,694 in 2014-15 to 18,858 in 2025-26.
