Trichy Airport Expands with New Boarding Bridges
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has added five new air-conditioned passenger boarding bridges (PBBs), also known as aero bridges, at the new integrated passenger terminal of Trichy international airport. Procured at a cost of Rs 15 crore, these bridges aim to improve passenger convenience and enable the operationalization of all gates.
A senior official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has inspected the new PBBs. Once approval is granted, the new bridges will join the existing five, making Trichy airport second only to Chennai in the state in terms of functional boarding bridges.
Enhanced Capacity and Efficiency
The new integrated terminal, commissioned in June 2024 at a cost of Rs 1,112 crore, initially had five boarding bridges but was designed to accommodate up to ten. Trichy airport achieved a historic milestone by handling 2.2 million passengers per annum (MPPA) in the financial year 2025-26, combining both international and domestic traffic. With passenger numbers steadily rising, AAI recognized the need for additional boarding bridges and implemented an upgrade plan.
The new installation includes one 44-meter-long boarding bridge and four others, each 23 meters long, designed to connect terminal gates directly to aircraft. S S Raju, Trichy airport director, stated, "We expect clearance in 10 days to commission the new bridges. Only very few non-metro airports across the country have 10 PBBs. They will greatly help passengers easily board an aircraft without using shuttle buses and towable stairs."
Benefits for Passengers and Operations
The air-conditioned bridges ensure smooth and safe boarding for all passengers, including persons with disabilities (PwD). They can accommodate both narrow and wide-bodied aircraft. Beyond improving passenger comfort during adverse weather, the additional boarding bridges enable quicker boarding and disembarkation, reducing aircraft ground time and maintaining punctuality.
"As per projections, the airport's passenger handling capacity is expected to reach 3 million per annum soon, making 10 boarding bridges essential. Passengers can now board any gate closer to the waiting area or lounges instead of moving with baggage to far-placed gates," the airport director added.
This upgrade positions Trichy airport as a key hub in Tamil Nadu, enhancing its infrastructure to meet growing demand and improve the overall travel experience.
