Tuticorin airport getting ready to handle Airbus 321s.

The industrial town of Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in southern Tamil Nadu is set to receive a significant boost in air connectivity as its airport undergoes major upgrades to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A321. Currently, the airport handles only ATRs, which seat about 78 passengers, while the larger Airbus A321 can carry nearly 250 passengers.

The upgrade work at the airport is expected to be completed by the December quarter. This expansion will also enable the airport to handle international flights, meeting a long-standing demand from the local trade community. The upgrade is crucial for the area, especially with large industrial projects worth over ₹80,000 crore being developed nearby.

Notable investments include ₹16,000 crore from Vietnam-based electric car manufacturer VinFast, and significant projects from ACME, Semcorp, Umwelt, and Leap Green Energy in the hydrogen ecosystem. Additionally, ISRO is constructing the country’s second rocket launch station at Kulasekarapatnam, 50 km from Thoothukudi.

The ₹381-crore airport upgrade, initiated in 2021, faced delays due to the pandemic and 2023 floods. The Tamil Nadu government acquired 106 acres for the project. The runway extension is being managed by Mumbai-based Tarmat, while KEC International of the RPG group is building the new 17,341-square-meter terminal building, significantly larger than the existing 1,000-square-meter terminal.

The upgraded runway will be extended to 3,115 meters in length and 45 meters in width, making it the second longest in the state after Chennai. The departure area will feature four entry gates, 21 check-in counters, and seven X-ray baggage scanners on the ground level. The mezzanine level will connect to three aerobridges, while the first floor will have three boarding gates and seating for 1,440 passengers. The arrival area will include two baggage carousels.

A new 45-meter Air Traffic Control tower has been constructed to support the expansion. Additionally, a new four-lane approach road to the terminal building is being laid on the western end, and the existing approach road is being widened into a four-lane road.

Currently, six domestic flights operate from Thoothukudi airport — four to Chennai and two to Bengaluru. After the upgrades, long-distance flights to Delhi and Mumbai are expected to be added, enhancing connectivity for the region.

HBL