Thoothukudi Airport Expansion Set to Boost South TN Industry.

A long-standing demand from industries investing heavily in South Tamil Nadu is finally being met today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the ₹381 crore redevelopment works at the Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) Airport. This significant upgrade is expected to provide crucial connectivity and infrastructure to the region's booming industrial climate.

The newly redeveloped facility marks a substantial leap in capacity. Previously limited to ATR aircraft, which seat around 78 passengers, the Thoothukudi Airport will now be able to accommodate larger aircraft, including the Airbus A321, capable of carrying nearly 250 passengers. In a symbolic start to its new era, the Prime Minister's aircraft, a wide-bodied flight arriving from the Maldives, is scheduled to be the first of its kind to land at the airport around 8 PM today.

The expansion includes a brand new terminal building spanning 17,341 square meters. This modern facility boasts four entry gates, 21 check-in counters, seven baggage scanners, three aerobridges, 644 seating arrangements, and five aircraft parking bays. Critically, the airport's passenger handling capacity has been dramatically increased from 156 passengers per hour to an impressive 1,400 passengers per hour, and it can now manage five aircraft simultaneously. This enhanced connectivity is anticipated to significantly benefit businesses and industries operating in Southern Tamil Nadu.