Tiruchirappalli International Airport has proposed a major runway expansion project worth ₹350 crore, aimed at extending the existing runway from 8,000 feet to 12,500 feet. The proposal has been submitted to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for planning approval and is expected to significantly enhance the airport’s capability to handle wide-body aircraft and long-haul international flights.
Airport Director S.S. Raju stated that preparatory work for the expansion is already progressing. Construction of a compound wall on newly acquired land earmarked for the runway extension is scheduled to be awarded by next month. The runway expansion forms part of a broader infrastructure modernisation plan focused on improving operational efficiency and passenger experience.
One of the key projects nearing completion is a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower along with a technical block, being developed at a cost of ₹55 crore. The facility is expected to be commissioned by the end of the year and will strengthen air traffic management capabilities at the airport.
Passenger infrastructure is also being upgraded, with five new passenger boarding bridges added at a cost of ₹14.8 crore. With testing and commissioning currently underway, the total number of boarding bridges at the airport will increase to ten.
In line with sustainability initiatives, the airport plans to commission an additional one-megawatt ground-mounted solar photovoltaic plant by the end of the year, at an estimated cost of ₹5 crore. Once operational, Tiruchirappalli Airport’s total solar power generation capacity will rise to 2.45 megawatts.
Passenger traffic at the airport is projected to grow steadily, with annual footfall expected to reach 3.2 million by 2029–30. To enhance passenger convenience, 640 new baggage trolleys have been introduced across the terminal.
Cargo operations at Tiruchirappalli Airport have also witnessed notable growth. International cargo volumes have increased by 10 per cent, rising from a monthly average of 540 metric tonnes to approximately 590 metric tonnes. This growth has strengthened the airport’s position as an emerging logistics hub for central Tamil Nadu.
Further plans include the development of a dedicated domestic cargo terminal. Additionally, the airport’s international courier facility, which has remained inactive since 2022, is now set to be revived through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model.
