Tuticorin: Passenger movement as well as aircraft movement that had reported an increasing trend at the Tuticorin airport over the previous two years showed a drastic decline in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This was discussed in the Airport Advisory Committee (AAC) meeting of the Tuticorin airport that was held through videoconferencing chaired by AAC chairperson and Tuticorin MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Friday.
Passenger movement declined to 1,33,647 in 2020 from 2,31,406 in 2019 – down by 42.24%. The figures in 2019 is 29% more than the 1,79,051 in 2018, which in turn is 46.19% more than the figures in 2017. Aircraft movement at 2,286 in 2020 is 37.79% less than the 3,675 in 2019. In 2018 (3,036) and 2019, the aircraft movement was up by 105.41% and 21%, respectively.
The MP pressed for more air connectivity including connections to New Delhi and international connections to Colombo since night flight operations commenced. She also asked the Airport Authority of India to construct a state of the art futuristic airport, cargo operations facilities, promotion of tourism and prepare a long-term vision to acquire sufficient land to avoid future congestions.
Kanimozhi urged the AAI to take up projects such as building a library establishment of a primary health centre, schools and other amenities to benefit the community around the airport under corporate social responsibility. Additional collector Vishnu Chandran said that a proposal has been sent to the transport secretary for additional land requirement.
District collector Senthil Raj thanked the MP for extending support to obtain the forest and wildlife clearance from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change to install solar powered aviation obstacle light at Vallanadu Hill that has facilitated night landing operations. Airport director N Subramanian spoke on infrastructure to be soon opened to commuters.
09/01/21 MK Ananth/Times of India
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