Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to suspend flights for five hours on October 20

Flight operations at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will remain suspended for five hours on October 20 to allow the traditional Arattu procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to cross the runway.

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.

What this means for you
The temporary suspension will directly impact travelers scheduled to fly through the airport during the five-hour window on October 20.

• In Thiruvananthapuram: Local passengers will face schedule changes and must check updated flight timings with their respective airlines before heading to the terminal.
• Across India: Connecting flights and airline scheduling originating from or arriving at this airport from other parts of the country may experience cascading time adjustments.
• Schedule planning: Travelers need to adjust their itineraries in advance to avoid last-minute confusion or missed connections at the airport.
• Ticketing adjustments: Altered flight schedules might require passengers to reconfirm their bookings or rearrange subsequent travel plans accordingly.

Why this happened
The temporary flight suspension is not due to any technical glitch or security threat, but rather to honor a longstanding historical and religious tradition.

• Historical tradition: The Alpassi Arattu procession of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple requires deities to be taken to the beach for a ritual bath, crossing the runway in the process.
• Royal mandate: During the airport's establishment in 1932, King Sree Chithira Thirunal stipulated that two days each year would be reserved for temple rituals.
• Unbroken legacy: Despite several changes in administrative management over the decades, the sanctity of this cultural heritage has been consistently maintained.

Questions & Answers

1. On which date will Thiruvananthapuram Airport remain closed?
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will remain closed on October 20.

2. For how long will flight services be suspended?
Flight services will be temporarily suspended for five hours.

3. During which exact hours will operations remain halted?
Flight operations will be suspended on Tuesday from 4 pm to 9 pm.

4. What is the reason for suspending the flights?
The decision was taken to allow the traditional Arattu procession of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to cross the runway.

5. What advice has been given to passengers?
Passengers are advised to obtain revised flight timings from their respective airlines before leaving for the airport.

6. Which temple is associated with this tradition?
This tradition is associated with the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

7. Since when has this tradition been followed?
This tradition has been observed continuously since the establishment of the airport in 1932.

8. Who currently manages the airport?
The airport is currently managed by the Adani Group.

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