TRICHY-SINGAPORE AIR ROUTE RANKS 21ST IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC

The Trichy-Singapore international air route has witnessed substantial growth in passenger traffic, securing the 21st spot in India's passenger traffic rankings for the April-June period, as reported by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This marks a notable improvement from its previous ranking of 30th for the January-March quarter.

During the first quarter of the year, the Trichy-Singapore route was positioned 30th among 331 routes, with 0.20 million passengers. However, in the subsequent quarter, it surged to the 21st position among 327 routes, accommodating 0.14 million passengers and achieving a growth rate of 15.5 per cent.

Among Indian cities offering services to Singapore, Trichy Airport ranked fourth in passenger traffic, following Chennai (0.22 million passengers), Delhi (0.21 million), and Mumbai (0.19 million).

The Trichy-Singapore air route's success is attributed to the employment opportunities available in Singapore and Malaysia, in addition to the Gulf countries. Many skilled workers, including engineering graduates, are now seeking employment in Singapore. S Nargis Begam from Al-Parvez Air Travel and Services in Trichy noted that thousands of people from the delta districts have settled in Singapore, often visiting their homeland for various reasons, including pilgrimage, social gatherings, and family reunions. The route has also facilitated business linkages between the regions.

Currently, three airlines operate 28 services on this route, with plans to increase it to 35 starting in October. The existing services have been performing well, boasting good occupancy rates, which has prompted the expansion of flight services, according to H Ubaidullah, an aviation analyst.