Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will suspend flight operations for five hours on October 20 to facilitate the traditional Alpassi Arattu procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The temporary suspension will remain in effect from 4 pm to 9 pm, according to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (TIAL).
The procession carries the ceremonial idols of the temple to Shangumugham Beach for a ritual holy bath before returning to the shrine. The route passes across the airport runway, requiring flight operations to pause during the ceremony.
A Centuries-Old Tradition Continues
The runway crossing is part of a longstanding tradition associated with the former Travancore royal family. The airport accommodates the temple’s biannual Arattu processions, with operations temporarily suspended on two occasions each year.
The practice dates back to the establishment of the airport in 1932. Historical accounts state that the then Travancore ruler, Sree Chithira Thirunal, stipulated that the airport would remain open for public use for 363 days annually, with two days reserved for the deity of the royal family.
Passengers Advised to Check Flight Schedules
The temporary suspension may affect departures and arrivals scheduled during the five-hour window. Airlines have been informed to adjust their flight schedules, and passengers travelling through Thiruvananthapuram on October 20 have been advised to confirm updated timings with their respective airlines before leaving for the airport.
The scheduled pause reflects the airport’s continued coordination with the temple’s traditional ceremonies while maintaining safety during the procession’s passage across the runway.
