Along with the new terminal of Thoothukudi airport and the extended runway, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (July 26, 2025) launched a few more completed projects on an outlay of ₹4,900 crore in various parts of Tamil Nadu.
Since the Airports Authority of India wants to increase the number of passengers using Thoothukudi Airport to 20 lakh per annum in the next five to ten years and to increase Thoothukudi’s air connectivity manifold by introducing flights to various parts of the country and abroad, the 17,340 square meter new terminal in Chettinad- style architecture has been created.
The 1,350-meter-long runway has been extended to 3,115 meters with a night landing facility for handling wide-bodied aircraft, like A320s and A321s. Moreover, to ensure the hassle-free handling of the passengers, 21 check-in counters, 7 baggage scanners, 3 aerobridges, 644 seats, a feeding room for mothers, isolation areas, 5 aircraft parking bays, fully equipped fire station have been completed. After the expansion, the Thoothukudi airport can handle up to 1,400 passengers per hour, which stood at just 156 earlier, officials said.
PM Modi to release commemorative coin of Rajendra Chola, Ilaiyaraaja to perform at Gangaikonda Cholapuram on July 27
