Madurai airport may get new terminal building.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) is considering to provide a new terminal building for Madurai airport in view of increased passenger traffic.

AAI Regional Executive Director S. Sreekumar said performance of the airport on all fronts was good, especially the 35% growth in passenger movement reported in the last one year.

The integrated terminal building should be expanded temporarily to accommodate more passengers. Or else, a new terminal should be built to separate domestic and international operations.

“The feasibility of expanding the terminal building is being studied. If that is not possible, we will go for a new building, which is already in the airport master plan,” he said.

The number of international passengers handled at the airport would decide on having a separate international terminal or an integrated terminal. At present, the airport could handle 250 passengers each at arrival and departure halls, he said.

Mr. Sreekumar said the AAI had also proposed to have a new technical building with a control tower. It had also planned to construct seven new aprons at Madurai airport.

“Once the apron works are completed, the third aerobridge could be made operational at the airport,” he said.

On runway extension, he said the AAI was in touch with the State government. “The Secretary for Civil Aviation and AAI Chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra have met Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami in connection with acquisition of land for various airports. It has been decided to have periodical meetings to review the progress,” he said.

Besides Madurai, land acquisition is required for development works at Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore, Salem and Thoothukudi airports.

The long wait for international cargo facility at Madurai airport will be over on November 28 with its commissioning. The facility would boost exports from southern districts and help fill the belly of international flights, bringing in additional revenue.

The facility would be commissioned by Chairman of Airports Authority of India Guruprasad Mohapatra, AAI Regional Executive Director S. Sreekumar told The Hindu on Tuesday.

All formalities, including those of Customs Department, for opening the facility, had been completed. “Customs officials would issue a notification in a couple of days,” Airport Director V.V. Rao said.

On the need for cold storage facility at the airport to store perishable goods like vegetables, fruits and jasmine, Mr. Sreekumar said efforts would be taken to set up the facility.

At present four international flights – two to Colombo, and one each to Dubai and Singapore – are being operated from Madurai airport.

THE HINDU