Thiruvananthapuram Airport Expansion to Boost Capacity from 3.5 Million to 11.5 Million

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will begin a Rs 2,500-crore international terminal expansion under Project Anantha, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Thursday, October 15, the airport said. The project aims to increase passenger-handling capacity and upgrade airport infrastructure.

Managed by Adani Airports, the expansion will cover approximately 92,552 square metres. It will raise the international terminal’s annual passenger-handling capacity from 3.5 million to around 11.5 million.

The project includes a 78,522-square-metre departure facility and a 14,030-square-metre arrival facility. The departure area will have 48 check-in positions, including 44 conventional counters and four self-bag-drop units, along with 38 emigration counters and seven pre-embarkation security-check positions.

The terminal will also include seven Code C aircraft stands, including two Multiple Aircraft Ramp System stands, to support aircraft parking and ground operations. Planned facilities include upgraded baggage systems, passenger holding areas, expanded retail and duty-free outlets, and dedicated spaces for Customs, the Bureau of Immigration, the Central Industrial Security Force and other agencies.

The arrival facility will have 40 immigration counters and four baggage belts. Two belts will measure 70 metres each, while the other two will be 50 metres long. Dedicated baggage break-up areas are also planned.

The airport said the wider development programme includes upgrades to landside and airside infrastructure, utilities, safety systems and passenger facilities. Project Anantha forms part of a broader transformation programme backed by approximately Rs 8,700 crore in investment from Adani Airports.

The airport reported that daily aircraft movements rose from 45 to 90 over five years, while daily passenger handling increased from around 5,500 to 15,000. It handled 4.7 million passengers and recorded 31,366 aircraft movements in the 2025-26 financial year.

The airport currently connects passengers to 14 international and eight domestic destinations through 17 operating airlines, according to reported figures.

The expansion is designed to accommodate rising international traffic and improve passenger processing. The airport has not specified a completion date for the terminal project in the announcement. The design provides extra space for future passenger services.