Thiruvananthapuram airport to welcome world-class 'Anantha' terminal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A new terminal will soon start functioning in Thiruvananthapuram International Airport with world-class facilities including remote check-in. The terminal named 'Anantha', will be built as the ‘Gateway of Goodness’ in the land of Sree Padmanabhaswamy.

The new terminal will accommodate 1.2 crore passengers. The total cost is Rs 1300 crores and will be completed in three years. Adani Group has floated the plan taking a prescient account of passenger surge up to 2070.

The current terminal (five lakh square feet) can accommodate 32 lakh passengers. The new terminal will be 18 lakh square feet in area. There will be excellent facilities for leisure, entertainment and shopping. 'Kerala Kaumudi' had reported on the development of the airport on June 29.

The departure and arrival terminals will be on different levels (multi-level integrated terminals). Check-in counters, immigration, customs and shopping areas will be more spacious. Passengers will not have to wait for customs and immigration clearance. A five-star hotel with 240 rooms and catering facilities for 660 people will also be built in front of the international terminal. Passengers can also be accommodated here, including in the event of disruption or delay in flight services. Domestic services at Shankumugham will also be shifted to the new terminal. The domestic terminal may be demolished by 2028.

A new air traffic control tower with eight floors will also be constructed as part of the project. The cost is more than 150 crores. The tower will be controlled by the Airport Authority.

1. The airport is on 628.70 acres of land. Limited space is a barrier to development.

2. According to international standards, 12 acres of land should be acquired to prepare the runway.