
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, also known as Trivandrum Airport, is located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. Established in 1932, it is the first airport in the state of Kerala and the fifth international airport in India. The airport is approximately 3.7 km from the city centre and is known for its proximity to the Shankumugham Beach, making it the nearest airport to a water body in India. While the airport has a reputation for handling challenging weather conditions, with an advanced Category-1 Approach Lighting System ensuring smooth landings during inclement weather, it has also been associated with incidents of poor visibility leading to emergency situations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1932 |
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Distance from city centre | 3.7 km |
| Distance from Shankumugham Beach | 0.6 miles |
| Distance from Kovalam Beach | 16 km |
| Distance from Technopark | 13 km |
| Distance from Vizhinjam International Seaport | 21 km |
| Area | 800 acres |
| Number of terminals | 2 |
| Number of passengers (2023-24) | 4.4 million |
| Number of aircraft movements (2023-24) | 30,000 |
| Runway lighting system | Category-1 Approach Lighting System (ALS) |
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What You'll Learn
- Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the first airport in Kerala, India
- The airport is approximately 3.7km from Thiruvananthapuram's city centre
- Trivandrum Airport is an all-weather airport
- Trivandrum Airport is the headquarters of the Southern Air Command of the IAF
- Trivandrum Airport is the second-busiest airport in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the first airport in Kerala, India
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (IATA: TRV, ICAO: VOTV) is the first airport in Kerala, India. Established in 1932 as part of the Royal Flying Club, it is located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. The airport is approximately 3.7 km from the city centre and covers an area of 800 acres. It is the nearest airport to a water body in India, with a proximity to Shankumugham Beach and the Arabian Sea.
The airport has a significant role in civil operations and also supports the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Coast Guard in their strategic operations. In addition, it caters to the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology, which conducts pilot training. The airport has an exclusive apron for IAF operations and a hangar facility that can accommodate 10 trainer aircraft.
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has experienced several notable events throughout its history. Tata Airlines made its maiden flight to the airport in 1935 under the command of India's first pilot, Nevill Vintcent. In 1938, the Royal Government of Travancore acquired a Dakota as the Maharaja's private aircraft, also establishing the first squadron of the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) for state protection.
The airport underwent significant developments over time, with international operations commencing in the late 1970s by Air India to cities in the Arabian Peninsula. It was officially upgraded to an international airport in 1991, becoming the fifth international airport in India. The new international terminal, Terminal 2, commenced operations in March 2011, with Air India Express operating the first departure to Dubai.
The airport has continued to focus on improvements, aiming for an all-weather airport status. In 2022, an advanced Category-1 Approach Lighting System (ALS) was commissioned on Runway 32, enhancing landing capabilities during poor weather conditions. Additionally, plans for expansion include the construction of a new terminal building covering 44,000 sq. m and extending the runway to accommodate larger aircraft.
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The airport is approximately 3.7km from Thiruvananthapuram's city centre
The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (IATA: TRV, ICAO: VOTV) is located approximately 3.7 km (2.3 mi) from the city centre of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. Established in 1932, it is the first airport in the state of Kerala and the fifth international airport in India, officially declared in 1991. The airport covers an area of 800 acres (320 ha) and is situated near the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kovalam beach, Technopark, and Vizhinjam International Seaport.
The airport is known for its proximity to Shankumugham Beach, making it the nearest airport to a water body in India. It is just about 0.6 miles (approx. 1 km) away from the Arabian Sea. In addition to civil operations, the airport caters to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Coast Guard for their strategic operations. The IAF has an exclusive apron to handle their activities.
The Thiruvananthapuram Airport also plays a crucial role in pilot training at the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology, which has its own hangar facility that can accommodate up to 10 trainer aircraft. The airport has undergone expansions over the years, with plans to extend the runway to accommodate larger aircraft and handle more flights.
The airport has experienced some notable incidents, such as the 2018 flood, when flights were still able to land despite the challenging weather conditions. Additionally, in 2022, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft made a distress call during three unsuccessful landing attempts due to poor visibility and fuel shortage, leading to an emergency declaration and a successful landing on the fourth attempt.
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Trivandrum Airport is an all-weather airport
Trivandrum International Airport, also known as Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, is an all-weather airport located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. Established in 1932, it is the first airport in the state of Kerala and the fifth international airport in India, officially declared in 1991. The airport covers an area of 800 acres and is approximately 3.7 km from the city centre and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is also the southernmost international/domestic airport on the Indian subcontinent.
The airport handles a large volume of traffic, with over 4.4 million passengers and 30,000 aircraft movements in the financial year 2023-24. It caters to civil operations, as well as the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Coast Guard for their strategic operations. The IAF has an exclusive apron to handle their activities, and the airport also houses the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology, which provides pilot training.
In addition to its strategic importance, Trivandrum Airport has a focus on becoming an all-weather airport. During the floods in 2018, flights were able to land at the airport, demonstrating its resilience in inclement weather conditions. To further enhance its capabilities, the airport commissioned an advanced Category-1 Approach Lighting System (ALS) on Runway 32. This system consists of strategically placed lights that guide pilots during landings, especially in poor weather.
The airport's expansion plans include the construction of a new terminal building covering 44,000 sq. m, with 16 acres acquired for extending the runway to accommodate larger aircraft and handle more flights. These developments reinforce Trivandrum Airport's position as an all-weather, modern, and busy aviation hub in India.
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Trivandrum Airport is the headquarters of the Southern Air Command of the IAF
Trivandrum Airport, officially known as Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, is located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. Established in 1932, it is the first airport in the state of Kerala and the fifth international airport in India. The airport is approximately 3.7 km from the city centre and covers an area of 800 acres.
In addition to civil operations, Trivandrum Airport serves as the headquarters of the Southern Air Command (India) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF has an exclusive apron to handle all their operations. The airport also caters to the Indian Coast Guard and the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology, which conducts pilot training.
The airport has a long history, dating back to the 1930s when it was established as part of the Royal Flying Club under the initiative of Lt. Col. Raja Goda Varman. In 1935, Tata Airlines made its maiden flight to the airport, and in 1938, the Royal Government of Travancore acquired a Dakota as the Maharaja's private aircraft. After India's independence, the airstrip was used for domestic flights, and in 1991, the airport was officially upgraded to an international airport.
Today, Trivandrum Airport is a busy aviation hub, handling over 4.4 million passengers and 30,000 aircraft movements in the 2023-24 financial year. It has undergone expansions and improvements, including the commissioning of an advanced Category-1 Approach Lighting System (ALS) on Runway 32, enabling smooth landings during inclement weather conditions.
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Trivandrum Airport is the second-busiest airport in Kerala
Trivandrum Airport, officially known as Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, is located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. Established in 1932, it is the first airport in the state of Kerala and the fifth international airport of India, officially declared in 1991. The airport is spread over an area of 800 acres, approximately 3.7 km from the city centre and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, 16 km from Kovalam beach, 13 km from Technopark, and 21 km from Vizhinjam International Seaport. It is the nearest airport to a water body in India, with a proximity to Shankumugham Beach, just about 0.6 miles (approx. 1 km) away from the Arabian Sea.
Trivandrum Airport is the second-busiest airport in the state of Kerala, handling over 4.4 million passengers and over 30,000 aircraft movements in the financial year 2023-24. The airport caters to both civil and military operations, serving as the headquarters for the Southern Air Command (India) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Coast Guard. IAF has an exclusive apron to handle its operations, and the airport also accommodates the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology, which conducts pilot training.
The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flights. It has undergone expansions over the years, with plans announced in 2023 to construct a new terminal building covering 44,000 sq. m. and extend the runway to accommodate larger aircraft and handle more flights.
Trivandrum Airport has a focus on becoming an all-weather airport, and in 2022, it commissioned an advanced Category-1 Approach Lighting System (ALS) on Runway 32 to ensure smooth landings during inclement weather conditions. This system consists of strategically placed lights that guide pilots, particularly in bad weather.
The airport has also faced some challenges, such as a technical issue during a flood in 2018 and a May Day emergency in 2022 due to poor visibility and fuel shortage, resulting in the sacking of the pilots involved. Despite these incidents, Trivandrum Airport remains a significant aviation hub in Kerala, serving millions of passengers each year.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Trivandrum Airport is not on a cliff.
Trivandrum Airport, officially known as Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, is located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India.
Trivandrum Airport was established in 1932 as part of the Royal Flying Club under the initiative of Lt. Col. Raja Goda Varman.
The airport covers an area of 800 acres (320 hectares) and is approximately 3.7 km (2.3 mi) west of the city centre.
Trivandrum Airport caters to various airlines, including Air India, Indian Airlines, Gulf Air, Sri Lankan Airlines, Air India Express, and Maldivian.





























