Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (IATA: TRV, ICAO: VOTV) is located in the capital city of Kerala, India. It has a rich history, dating back to its establishment in 1932, making it the first airport in the state. Officially declared as the fifth international airport in India in 1991, it covers an area of 700 acres and is situated approximately 3.7 km west of the city centre and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
See also: All about Tirupati International Airport
Key details
Airlines and base
The airport serves as the operating base for Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and SpiceJet.
Proximity to landmarks
It is conveniently located, being 16 km from Kovalam Beach, 13 km from Technopark, and 21 km from the under-construction Vizhinjam International Seaport. Notably, it’s about 0.6 miles (approx. 1 km) away from Shankumugham Beach, making it the nearest airport to the sea in India.
Infrastructure
The airport features an exclusive apron for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Coast Guard. It is also home to the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology, conducting pilot training activities.
Operational statistics
In the financial year 2022-23, the airport handled around 3.5 million passengers and had about 25,000 aircraft movements.
Military presence
The Southern Air Command (India) of the IAF operates from the airport, utilising a dedicated apron for its operations.
Maintenance and repair
Thiruvananthapuram Airport hosts Air India’s narrow-body maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) unit, featuring twin hangars for servicing Boeing 737-type aircraft, primarily servicing Air India Express aircraft.
Facilities at Trivandrum International Airport
Runway
The airport features a single 3,400 m (11,200 ft)-long runway, capable of accommodating any type of aircraft. It also has a 1,880 m (6,170 ft)-long parallel taxiway.
Terminals
There are two terminals. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights (except Air India), while Terminal 2 caters to all international flights and domestic flights of Air India. Terminal 2, managed by Air India SATS Airport Services, is fully air-conditioned with WiFi, spacious lounges, and modern facilities, including three baggage carousels and duty-free shops managed by Flemingo. The domestic terminal offers basic amenities and services like cafés, a beer and wine bar, a book-seller, a baby care room, and phone-recharging points. IndianOil Skytanking handles fuelling operations.
Terminal details
Terminal 1 covers an area of 9,200 m2 (99,000 sq. ft.) and can handle 400 passengers at a time. Terminal 2 is newly built with additional jetways and parking bays for eight aircraft. It covers an area of 35,000 m2 (380,000 sq. ft.) and has an annual handling capacity of 1.8 million passengers. The check-in area of Terminal 2 has a floor area of 950 m2 (10,200 sq. ft.), and an arrival area covers 600 m2 (6,500 sq. ft.). Common Users Terminal Equipment (CUTE) facilitates passengers to check in at any counter.
Air traffic control
The airport’s air traffic control (ATC) tower is 18 m (59 ft.) tall, with plans for a new 50 m (160 ft.) tall ATC tower. It is equipped with a CAT-1 instrument landing system (ILS), DVOR, distance measuring equipment (DME), Mono-pulse Secondary Surveillance Radar, Air Route Surveillance Radar, and Airport Surveillance Radar.
MRO facility
Trivandrum International Airport hosts Air India’s narrow-body maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) unit, including twin hangars for servicing Boeing 737-type aircraft. The MRO facility is state-of-the-art, covering 6.07 hectares (15.0 acres) of land and was commissioned on December 16, 2011.
Other operations
Besides civil operations, the airport supports the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Coast Guard for strategic operations, Airforce NCC Cadets’ Training, and Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology.
Expansion plans
In November 2023, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced plans for a new terminal building covering 44,000 square metres and extending the runway by acquiring 16 acres to accommodate larger aircraft and handle more flights by September 2024.
FAQs
What is the location of Trivandrum International Airport?
Trivandrum International Airport is located in the capital city of Kerala, India.
When was Trivandrum International Airport established?
The airport was established in 1932, making it the first airport in the state of Kerala.
Which airlines operate from Trivandrum International Airport?
The airport serves as the operating base for Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and SpiceJet.
How far is the airport from the city centre and major landmarks?
The airport is approximately 3.7 km west from the city centre and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, 16 km from Kovalam beach, 13 km from Technopark, and 21 km from the under-construction Vizhinjam International Seaport.
What are the two terminals at Trivandrum International Airport used for?
Terminal 1 is for domestic flights (except Air India), while Terminal 2 caters to all international flights and domestic flights of Air India.
What facilities are available at the international terminal?
The international terminal is fully air-conditioned with WiFi, spacious lounges, duty-free shops, and
What services does the domestic terminal offer?
The domestic terminal can handle 400 passengers at a time. It provides basic amenities, including cafés, a beer and wine bar, a specialised baby care room, and elaborate immigration/customs facilities.
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Shimon Oberoi, an economics graduate from Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, strives to simplify the real estate world through her compelling and well-researched content. She has experience in domains like entertainment and economic concepts, among others. When not creating content, she enjoys watching movies, listening to music, and reading fictional books.
