Madurai Airport

Madurai International Airport மதுரை விமான நிலையம்
Madurai Airport in 2012
IATA: IXM – ICAO: VOMD
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner/Operator	Airports Authority of India
Serves	Madurai
Location	Madurai, Tamil Nadu,  India
Elevation AMSL	136 m / 446 ft
Coordinates	09°50′01″N 078°05′22″E / 9.83361°N 78.08944°E / 9.83361; 78.08944Coordinates: 09°50′01″N 078°05′22″E / 9.83361°N 78.08944°E / 9.83361; 78.08944
Website	Madurai airport
Map
IXM Location in India
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 09/27 2,285 7,497 Asphalt
Statistics (2014-15)
Passengers movements 687,221(2.5%) Aircraft movements 7,728(1.7%) Cargo tonnage 1,074(10.9%)
Source: AAI,[1]

Madurai Airport (IATA: IXM, ICAO: VOMD) is a primary airport serving Madurai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located about 12 km (7.5 mi) from the Madurai railway station, the airport was established in 1957.^[2][3] It is the fourth busiest airport in the state of Tamil Nadu after Chennai, Coimbatore and Tiruchirappalli.

History

Madurai airfield was first used by the Royal Air Force in World War II in 1942.^[4] The first passenger flight was a Fokker Friendship aircraft on the Madras – Madurai – Trivandrum – Madurai – Madras route in 1956.^[5]

It was identified as one of 35 non-metro airports for modernization, and thus the new integrated terminal building was inaugurated on 12 September 2010.^[6] The airport was notified as customs airport. The notification, issued on 31 December 2011, has come into effect from 1 January 2012.^[7] In a historic event, two chartered flights from Malaysia landed at the airport on 25 August 2012, making them the first international aircraft that landed in the temple city.^[8] The first commercial international flight started on 20 September 2012 by Spice Jet commencing its maiden service to Colombo.^[9] Spicejet started its second international flight from Madurai to Dubai on 22 November 2013.

In order to boost exports from Madurai and its surrounding districts, the Department of Revenue under the Union Ministry of Finance has issued a notification dated 28 May 2013 permitting the airport to handle cargo.^[10]

Terminals

The airport has two adjacent terminals. Currently the integrated terminal is used for both international and domestic purposes. The Airports Authority of India is planning to convert the old terminal into a cargo complex.^[11]

Passenger terminal

As the part of modernizing 35 non-metro airports, AAI constructed a state-of-art new integrated passenger terminal adjacent to the old terminal. The ₹1.29 billion (US$19 million) new integrated passenger terminal building was inaugurated on 12 September 2010.^[6] A total of 610 acres (250 ha) of land is under acquisition for the expansion of the runway to 12,500 ft (3,800 m) to accommodate large jet aircraft.^[12] This terminal with an area of 17,560 m² (189,000 sq ft) can handle a passenger capacity of 250 each on arrival and departure.^[13][14] The airport parking area has the capacity to park 375 cars and 10 buses.^[15] Some of the features of the new terminal include:^[16]

• 16 check-in counters
• 12 immigration counters
• 1 security counter
• 5 customs counters
• 3 conveyor belts (47 m (154 ft) each)
• 2 X-ray scanners for baggage
• 211 CISF strength
• 7 aircraft stands
  • 1 B767-400
  • 1 A310-300
  • 3 B737-800W/A320-200
  • 2 ATR 72–500.^[16]

The new terminal has two lounges, a VIP lounge managed by AAI and a Commercial Important Persons (CIP) lounge managed by TNCC-Madurai.^[17]

Cargo terminal

Considering the growing cargo potential in Madurai Airport, AAI has decided to modify the old terminal into a full-fledged cargo complex.^[11] To start with, the Union finance ministry has issued customs notification dated May 28, 2013 to handle cargo at the Madurai airport. Works are going on a fast pace to start cargo lifting in the end of March 2014. A cold storage facility is also being established for perishable cargo which is expected to dominate the export from this region. Mihin Lanka is expected to lift cargo to various destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Middle East countries as transit cargo from Colombo.^[18]

Runway

The main runway is 2,285 m × 45 m (7,497 ft × 148 ft) with a PCN 92 R/B/W/T (Rigid), 8 F/A/W/T (Flexible) fit for B737-800 series. ILS Cat-I is available for main runway 09/27.^[16]

Expansion

The master plan of the airport includes a cargo complex along with two additional terminal buildings, expansion of runway and other facilities. The authority wants additional land for the same along with air traffic control tower and other facilities to cater to the increasing passenger movement.^[19][20]

Runway extension

AAI had asked around 610 acres of land in Madurai to take up runway extension work. The state government has promised that land will be acquired and handed over on time. In response to that, the district administration has proposed to acquire 610 acres of land to expand the Madurai airport. The proposed site, including 100 acres of poromboke land, would pave way for extending the runway to 12,500 ft enabling the airport to handle overseas services. A team comprising Airports Authority of India, Highways Department and Madurai Corporation officials had identified the site on the eastern side of the airport that would intersect the Ring Road over 5 km. As per the plan, the Ring Road would be disconnected at Mandela Junction and diverted via Perungudi and Avaniapuram to connect the Tuticorin Road.^[21]

Airlines and destinations

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Madurai Airport.

• Madurai Airport, AAI Site