AAI plans to convert old terminal of Trichy airport into shopping complex

Trichy: A year after the launch of Trichy International Airport's new integrated terminal, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has initiated plans to repurpose the now defunct old terminal.

A recent feasibility study explored various redevelopment options, with a proposal to transform the facility into a hotel and shopping complex emerging as a leading contender. While AAI has yet to make a final decision, some stakeholders argue that the terminal's strategic location and existing infrastructure should be leveraged to support future aviation growth rather than purely commercial ventures.The old terminal building with a combined area of 14,450sqm was decommissioned on June 11, 2024, after the new integrated terminal built at 1,112 crore became operational. Meanwhile, AAI appointed a private consultant to study the available resources and identify options to monetize and reuse the old terminal. Sources said that the report mentioned an option to convert the 16-year-old airport terminal into a hotel cum shopping complex.

AAI sources said that entries and exits of the old terminal have to be modified to prevent visitors from accessing the flight operations area before using it for commercial purposes.

However, other stakeholders including exporters have objected to the plan."There are two floors in the old terminal, the ground floor can be allocated for export operations as perishable commodities like vegetables require air-conditioning. First floor can be used as office space including for airline operators, but the shopping mall inside an airport will not support the aviation developments," G Sathish Kumar, secretary, Export Import Federation Trichy (EIFT) said. Since the old terminal has three aerobridges, stakeholders said that converting the terminal into a commercial space will not be wise. "In future, we will require additional space to meet the surging passenger traffic of Trichy airport. The old terminal can be operated exclusively for domestic flight services. We will conduct a stakeholder meeting to finalise an option," Trichy MP Durai Vaiko, chairman, airport advisory committee, told TOI.AAI sources said that the new terminal has provisions for expansion and added that the existing cargo terminal in the airport will be sufficient to manage the export operations of Trichy airport. "Aerobridges and other crucial components can be shifted and reused in other airports. A final decision will be taken soon," an AAI official said.