Trichy International Airport has improved its rank among 14 airports managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). However, its overall global ranking dropped despite a major infrastructure upgrade.
Rankings and Survey Results
Trichy airport moved from fourth place in 2023 to third in 2024 in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey by Airports Council International (ACI). However, on a global scale, its rank fell from 61 to 64.
Even after opening a new ₹1,112 crore integrated terminal, the airport’s overall passenger satisfaction score remained the same at 4.89 out of 5.
Where Did Trichy Airport Lose Points?
The ASQ survey evaluates 31 parameters based on passenger feedback. Compared to 2023, Trichy airport’s scores dropped in 12 areas, stayed the same in three, and increased in 15. However, the overall score did not improve.
The airport lost ratings in key areas such as:
- Availability of shops
- Value for money at restaurants
- Ease of getting to the airport
- Ease of finding the check-in area
Passengers, especially those with late-night flights, raised concerns about the lack of affordable food options.
Issues and Possible Improvements
Trichy MP Durai Vaiko, also the airport advisory committee chairman, acknowledged these issues. He assured that a medical shop will be set up soon in the terminal.
Other key concerns include:
- Limited food outlets inside the terminal
- No shuttle service from the airport entry to the terminal, which is 1 km away
What’s Next?
Many believe that the lack of amenities and services may lead to increased calls for airport privatization. Flyers hope that authorities will address these issues to improve passenger experience in the future.
