Operate overseas flights from Tiruchi: AAI tells domestic carriers

Realising the huge demand from travellers for operation of new flights to West Asian destinations from Tiruchi, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has written to certain domestic carriers to explore the feasibility of operating overseas flights to that region.

The AAI has got in touch with Spice Jet, Indigo, and Jet Airways requesting them to explore the option of operating overseas flights from Tiruchi given the demand, Airport Director B.C.H. Negi said on Monday.

“We are in the process of educating domestic carriers regarding the immense potential of Tiruchi international airport, its strategic location in the country, and the steep rise in international passenger traffic besides increase in international cargo over the years,” Mr. Negi told presspersons here.

Domestic airlines would study the viability of operating overseas flights before taking a final call, Mr. Negi said exuding hope of positive reply from them.

Operation of new foreign carriers to West Asian destinations could come through only if Tiruchi airport was included as a point of call in the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, he said.

Tiruchi airport had achieved 21 per cent growth in overall passenger traffic in 2014-15 fiscal, he said and added that international passenger traffic alone accounted for growth of 26 per cent.

Although overall passenger traffic growth was positive, the airport witnessed a negative growth in the domestic sector. The airport handled 11.8 lakh passengers in 2014-15 financial year of which 10.8 lakh were international passengers, he said.

Mr. Negi said Tiruchi international airport emerged on top among 60 non-major airports in the country in providing best services to passengers. This was the first time that any airport in the southern region had received the airport services quality award from the AAI, Mr. Negi added.

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