Thiruvananthapuram Airport to Halt Flights for Five Hours to Honour Historic Padmanabhaswamy Procession Flight operations at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will be suspended for five hours on October 20 to allow the sacred Alpasi Arattu procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to cross the runway. A rare confluence of ancient heritage and modern aviation will unfold in Kerala on October 20, when Thiruvananthapuram International Airport temporarily halts all flight operations. Unlike typical airport closures triggered by inclement weather, technical maintenance, or high-profile diplomatic protocols, this suspension takes place to preserve a centuries-old spiritual tradition. For five consecutive hours, the runway will turn silent to facilitate the passage of a grand temple procession that has traversed this exact path since long before aircraft took to the skies in southern India. Flight Operations Paused from 4 PM to 9 PM According to an advisory issued by Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Limited (TIAL), the suspension of domestic and international services will remain effective on October 20 between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Throughout this five-hour window, no departures or arrivals will take place. Airlines operating through the terminal have accordingly restructured their timetables to accommodate the temporary runway closure. Airport officials have urged all passengers scheduled to fly on this date to verify the revised status and departure timings directly with their respective airlines prior to heading toward the airport. The Sacred Path of the Alpasi Arattu The operational shutdown is timed specifically for the 'Alpasi Arattu' procession, a vital ritual associated with the venerable Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. During this sacred ceremony, the deities are respectfully escorted from the temple sanctum toward the nearby Shangumugham beach. Upon reaching the coast, the ceremonial holy bath of the idols is conducted as per established Vedic rituals, followed by their return march. Because the historic pathway used by the procession directly bisects the grounds where the airport runway was subsequently constructed, the passage requires complete closure of the airstrip to guarantee safety, solemnity, and uninterrupted movement for the grand procession. A Royal Mandate Dating Back to 1932 The continuity of this custom stems from the era of the Travancore princely state. When the airfield was formally established in 1932 under the reign of the Maharaja of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal, a specific arrangement was instituted to safeguard the temple's customary rights. The monarch decreed that the airport would serve civilian flight traffic for 363 days each year, while two days would remain strictly dedicated to the religious processions of Lord Padmanabha. Even in modern times, civil aviation authorities and airport management continue to honour this royal decree twice annually, rescheduling flights to let the centuries-old procession proceed along its hereditary path. What this means for you Air travellers flying via Thiruvananthapuram on October 20 must prepare for flight rescheduling during the five-hour closure window. • In Thiruvananthapuram: Commercial flight operations will remain suspended between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Passengers must verify rescheduled flight timings with their carriers before arriving at the terminal. • Across India: Connecting flights linked to Thiruvananthapuram may witness altered schedules and departure windows. Travellers with onward domestic or international connections should build in extra buffer time. • For Airline Customers: Airlines operating out of the facility are revising their flight boards for the closure window. Impacted passengers are eligible for rescheduling assistance according to their carrier policies. • For Local Commuters: Security and traffic diversions will be enforced along the procession route toward Shangumugham beach. Residents in the area should anticipate local movement restrictions on roads adjoining the airfield. Why this happened The temporary suspension of flight operations is necessitated by the centuries-old route of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple procession, which directly cuts across the modern airfield. • Hereditary Procession Pathway: The ritual route used to transport the temple deities to Shangumugham beach for the ceremonial holy bath existed long before the runway was built. Modern authorities maintain this pathway to honour the temple's spiritual rights. • Royal Decree of 1932: During the establishment of the airport under the Travancore kingdom, Maharaja Sree Chithira Thirunal mandated that the facility operate for public aviation for 363 days, while reserving two days for the temple's sacred processions. • Aviation Safety Requirements: Allowing heavy commercial jet movements while thousands of temple devotees and sacred palanquins cross the runway poses extreme safety hazards. Halting air traffic for five hours ensures both religious sanctity and complete runway safety. Questions & Answers 1. When and for how long will Thiruvananthapuram Airport suspend flight operations? Flight services will be temporarily suspended on October 20 for five hours, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. 2. Why is the airport halting flights on October 20? The closure allows the sacred 'Alpasi Arattu' procession from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to cross the runway en route to Shangumugham beach. 3. How old is this tradition at Thiruvananthapuram Airport? The arrangement dates back to 1932, when the airport was established during the reign of the Maharaja of Travancore, and it is observed twice every year. 4. What should affected passengers flying on October 20 do? Passengers are advised to verify rescheduled departure and arrival timings directly with their respective airlines before travelling to the airport. https://trendkia.com/en/national/shree-padmanabhaswamy-temple-ki-shobhayatra-ke-liye-thiruvananthapuram-me-panch-ghante-thamegi-udano-ki-raftar-49648 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.