Thiruvananthapuram airport to halt flights on October 20 for Arattu procession

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will temporarily halt all flight operations for five hours on October 20 to clear the runway for the traditional Alpassi Arattu procession of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

Flight services will remain suspended from 4 pm to 9 pm, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd confirmed in an official statement. Airlines operating out of the terminal are adjusting their flight schedules for the period, and passengers traveling on the day have been advised to check updated flight timings with their respective airlines before arriving at the airport.

Centuries of heritage preserved alongside modern aviation

The temporary suspension reflects a seamless harmony between cultural heritage and modern infrastructure management. The ritual, held twice a year, involves carrying the holy idols from the temple to Shangumugham beach for a ceremonial purification bath before returning them to the shrine.

This unique arrangement traces back to 1932, when the airport was established during the reign of the Travancore monarchy. Sree Chithira Thirunal, the last ruling Maharajah of Travancore, stipulated during the airfield's construction that the facility would remain open to the public for 363 days a year, reserving two days specifically for the sacred procession of Lord Padmanabha.

Smooth operations maintained

Despite the rapid growth of civil aviation and the transition of the airport's management to private operator Adani Group, the state's authorities and airport administrators continue to honor the legacy smoothly.

Every year, flight schedules for the two Arattu festivals—Alpassi and Painkuni—are coordinated months in advance to ensure minimal inconvenience to travelers while respecting local customs.