The Thiruvananthapuram international airport handled 25,000-odd additional flyers and 128 flights during the two-day period from August 9 morning when the Cochin international airport remained closed for air traffic after the taxiway got flooded.
This is the second consecutive year that the premier airport of the State is handling international and domestic flights bound for Kochi following the closure of the runway at Cochin airport.
In the 15-day period from August 15, 2018, when Cochin international airport remained closed for air traffic, the Thiruvananthapuram international airport handled 1.15 lakh additional flyers and 1,235 movements of flights, helicopters, and military operations.
Ever since Friday
All the diverted flights were full. The flyers in the return additional flights diverted from Kochi to the city were less on Friday. But the passenger load in the return flight picked up on Saturday with the KSRTC providing connectivity and flyers coming via road to the capital.
The load on Saturday in the return flights was in the range of 70 to 80% and the two additional flights of Emirates on Sunday was full.
“The additional flights were handled with ease and without any complaints from the flyers. This was achieved without upsetting the scheduled 100 international and domestic flights handled daily by the airport. This has come as a feather in the cap for the airport,” C.V. Ravindran, airport director, told The Hindu .
The operations wing managed the situation through efficient bay management, apron control, and traffic management, the airport director, who oversaw the additional flight operations, said.
Challenge
Handling the wide-bodied aircraft, dreamliners and the international flights from the West Asia was a challenge for the airport personnel. The maximum number of additional flights handled was on Saturday and there was nothing much to complain for the flyers.
The resources were optimally used. The airport was clean despite the heavy rush. Airlines shared check-in counters as flights were full.
Ground staff
All ground handling staff worked round-the-clock to speed up passenger movement.
The issues of non-payment of salary to loaders were sorted immediately and over 40 additional loaders were pressed into service, airline sources said.
“Peak hours extended late into the night for the airport since Friday. The airport has demonstrated that it can handle the additional flights and it also shows that the airport is underutilised,” adds Vijay Bhusan, former chairman of the AOC.
Foregoing holidays, the cleaning staff and loaders too were in full attendance. Muthoot SkyChef and Udaya Flight Kitchen worked overtime to help the airlines lift food and beverages.
The personnel of the airline, customs, immigration and CISF worked over time to cater to the needs of the flyers.
The AAI was also pro active and provided slots for the operating airline.
The additional international flights handled were those operated by Fly Dubai, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Indigo, Spicejet, Etihad, Air India, Air India Express and Air Arabia.
