MP Urges Air India to Designate Trichy Airport as a Hub for Better Connectivity
The central region of Tamil Nadu, Trichy Member of Parliament (MP) Durai Vaiko has urged Air India to designate Trichy International Airport as one of its key hubs. The MP made this request during a meeting with senior officials from Air India Express in New Delhi on Friday, February 16, 2025, where he highlighted the growing need for improved air travel options in the region.
Vaiko’s push for the development of Trichy as an Air India hub comes in the wake of concerns about the existing flight connectivity. The MP pointed out that the current domestic flights linking Trichy with major cities such as Hyderabad and Bengaluru are inadequate, with ticket prices soaring due to the monopoly of airlines operating on these routes. With a catchment area that spans over 10 districts, including rural and urban centres, the demand for affordable and frequent flights is high, and Trichy residents have long been vocal about the issue. As part of his request, MP Vaiko presented a comprehensive analysis outlining the benefits of a more robust air travel infrastructure in the region. His document suggested that new flight services should be introduced to and from Trichy to popular destinations such as Delhi, Kochi, Bengaluru, and Goa. He further proposed the establishment of direct international connections from Trichy to neighbouring regions, including Jaffna and Colombo, as well as new long-haul flights to Bahrain.
Air India officials have reportedly shown interest in expanding their operations from Trichy. During the meeting, it was also revealed that the airline is considering launching a new flight service connecting Trichy to Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi) from April 2025. The expansion of services is seen as a step towards not only increasing the regional connectivity of Trichy but also making the airport a key player in both domestic and international travel. To facilitate the launch of new flights and improve the overall infrastructure at Trichy Airport, Vaiko is working closely with civil aviation minister Rammohan Naidu. The MP has urged the minister to assist in securing designated time slots (known as ‘slots’) at major airports like Delhi and Bengaluru for Air India to operate new flights from Trichy. These slots are critical for ensuring that Trichy receives timely and coordinated flight services, which could lead to greater economic growth for the region.
The proposal comes at a time when many regional airports across India are seeing an uptick in both domestic and international air traffic, with the government investing heavily in improving aviation infrastructure and accessibility. For the people of Trichy and surrounding areas, having an established air hub would not only ease travel but could also serve as a catalyst for local economic development, tourism, and business growth. Residents of Trichy have long awaited a more affordable and efficient air travel experience, with many expressing frustration over the high costs and limited availability of flights. With the MP’s efforts and Air India’s potential expansion, this region could soon see a transformation in its connectivity, offering local residents and businesses better access to the rest of India and beyond. The push to make Trichy International Airport an Air India hub could prove pivotal in improving the region’s connectivity. The ongoing efforts to secure new flight routes and better infrastructure highlight the importance of addressing the growing travel needs of Trichy’s population and the surrounding districts. If successful, these initiatives could redefine air travel in Tamil Nadu and further integrate the region into national and global travel networks.
