Flight operations at the international airport in Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram will remain temporarily suspended for five hours on October 20. This decision has been implemented to facilitate the traditional Arattu procession of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to safely cross the runway. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Limited shared this update on Sunday, advising passengers to verify their updated flight schedules before departing for the terminal.
Operations halted from 4 pm to 9 pm
According to the airport administration, flight operations will be paused on Tuesday from 4 pm to 9 pm in view of the Alpassi Arattu procession of the temple. Travelers have been strongly advised to reach out to their respective airlines in advance to obtain the revised timings for their journeys and avoid any inconvenience at the last moment.
This centuries-old custom is deeply rooted in the history of the erstwhile royal family of Travancore. As part of this ritual, the presiding deities of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple are taken out in a ceremonial procession to the Shangumugham beach for a holy immersion bath. The designated route requires the procession to physically traverse across the active runway of the airport.
A tradition maintained since 1932
Out of respect for this religious custom, flight schedules at the Thiruvananthapuram airport have been adjusted twice a year for decades. Remarkably, this tradition has been preserved continuously ever since the establishment of the airport way back in 1932. Historical accounts indicate that when the construction of the airfield was originally planned, the reigning King of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal, made it clear that the facility would serve the public for 363 days a year while remaining reserved for Lord Padmanabh for two specific days.
Although the administrative management of the airport has evolved over the decades, the sanctity of this tradition has remained entirely untouched. Even after the Adani Group assumed the management responsibilities of the airport, the practice of pausing flights for this religious festival has continued uninterrupted. This unique custom holds immense significance in the cultural fabric of Thiruvananthapuram, blending historical heritage with modern aviation.
