The Thiruvananthapuram international airport handled 1.15 lakh additional flyers and 1,235 movements (flights, helicopters, and military operations) during the 15-day period from August 15 when the Cochin international airport remained closed for air traffic due to inundated operational area.
The airport handled flights bound for Kochi, rescue and relief flights of the Defence forces, besides the 120 daily scheduled flights with ease.
Of the 1.15 lakh additional flyers, 30,096 flew on Air India and Air India Express, headquartered in Kochi. Through 160 flights of AI and 108 flights of Air India Express between August 15 and 29, as many as 12,656 incoming passengers and 17,531 outgoing passengers moved through the airport.
The airport facilitated movement of 182 flights of the Defence forces and another 184 helicopters. Well-connected to the road network, it was used as a hub for rescue and relief operations.
“The IAF base has only three parking bays for AN-32/AVRO aircraft, hence we accommodated IL 76/C-17 cargo aircraft transporting men and relief materials,” Airport Director George G. Tharakan, who oversaw the operations, said.
All airlines to Kochi were asked to reschedule flights from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The peak hour of the airport, which handles 4.5 lakh flyers a month, is from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m.
“The national carrier and its low-cost arm handled the additional flyers with a 12-member team in the operations wing. An additional set of crew was stationed by Air India, Saudi Airlines, and Jet Airways. The handling of Dreamliner, which operated six flights in the Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai sector and back, was a challenge,” says AI Airport Manager and Chairman, Airline Operators Committee, P. Anil Kumar.
A core group of 14 AAI officers handled the crisis. “Our operations wing managed the situation through efficient bay management, apron control, and traffic management,” Mr. Tharakan said.
Optimally used
“The resources were optimally used. The airport was clean despite the heavy rush. Airlines shared check-in counters as flights were full. Every flyer stepped out of the terminal with a smile as the service was good,” adds Vijay Bhusan, former Chairman of the AOC.
All ground handling staff worked round the clock to speed up passenger movement.
Foregoing holidays, the cleaning staff and loaders too were in full attendance. Muthoot SkyChef and Udaya Flight Kitchen worked overtime to help airlines lift food and beverages.
