Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Kollam: Terminal, Code, Location, Connectivity, Amenities

Thiruvananthapuram — the City of the Sacred Serpent, named for the Anantashayana form of Vishnu enshrined at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple — is Kerala’s capital and southernmost major city. It is also where Kerala’s aviation history began: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, established in 1932, was Kerala’s first airport and India’s fifth to receive international status in 1991. Located at Chackai, just 6 kilometres west of the city centre — one of the closest airport-to-city-centre distances among any Indian state capital — it carries IATA code TRV and ICAO code VOTV, and handled 48.91 lakh passengers in 2024–25. Two terminals, Gulf connectivity anchored by Air India Express and IndiGo, domestic links to major metros, and the southernmost-airport-in-India distinction combine to make TRV the gateway to the temple city, to the beach resorts at Kovalam and Varkala, and to the remarkable corridor of Kerala’s southern coast stretching toward Kollam.

Quick Overview: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Location: Chackai, Six Kilometres From the Temple City

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is located at Chackai, approximately 6 kilometres west of the city centre. The official address is Airport Road, Chacka, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008. The elevation at just 4 metres above mean sea level places it almost at coastal level, 1 kilometre from the Arabian Sea. The airport is the southernmost international airport in the Indian subcontinent — a geographic distinction that reflects Thiruvananthapuram’s position as the southernmost state capital in India.

The city-proximity of TRV — 6 km from the city centre — makes it one of the most conveniently located airports among Indian state capitals. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in East Fort is approximately 6 km from the airport. Kovalam Beach, one of India’s most internationally recognised resort beaches, is approximately 15 km away. Varkala Cliff Beach is approximately 50 km. The city’s notable institutions — including the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thumba, the Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences, and the National Institute of Ocean Technology — generate consistent business and government aviation demand separate from tourism.

Kollam district begins approximately 70 kilometres north of Thiruvananthapuram along NH-66. TRV is the primary aviation gateway for Kollam as well, given the absence of a scheduled commercial airport in Kollam district itself.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Code: IATA TRV and ICAO VOTV

The airport’s IATA code is TRV and its ICAO code is VOTV. TRV is universally used for Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) on all airline booking platforms, boarding passes, and cargo documentation. VOTV places it in the VO southern India block. The airport was declared India’s fifth international airport in 1991 — a milestone that opened direct Gulf connectivity at a time when Keralite Gulf migration was already well underway. The operator is TRV (Kerala) International Airport Limited, an Adani Group entity, under a privatisation arrangement similar to Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Terminal: Two Buildings Serving Domestic and International Separately

Terminal 1 (Domestic): T1 covers 13,335 square metres and handles domestic flight operations. It has 18 check-in counters and 3 security kiosks, with a capacity of 500 incoming and 500 outgoing passengers simultaneously. IndiGo direct return flights connect Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai among other cities. T1 is functional and competently maintained, though older than T2 in infrastructure terms.

Terminal 2 (International): T2 covers 32,528 square metres — more than double T1’s footprint — and handles all international flight operations. It has 30 check-in counters, 26 immigration counters at departure, 11 customs counters, and 4 security checks, with a capacity of 800 inbound and outbound passengers simultaneously. A new T2 was inaugurated in 2013, significantly upgrading TRV’s international handling capacity. The terminal has duty-free retail, currency exchange, dining options, and passenger lounges for the Gulf-bound and Gulf-returning traveller demographic that is TRV’s dominant international passenger profile.

Both terminals are on the same campus and are walkable — approximately 5 to 10 minutes apart on foot — making inter-terminal transfer manageable without a bus shuttle.

The airport’s 1932 origins trace to the colonial-era Royal Indian Air Force use of the aerodrome. During World War II, the RAF used it as a military base, which drove significant infrastructure development. The gradual post-independence transition to civilian international operations culminated in the 1991 international status declaration. The 2013 T2 inauguration was the most recent major infrastructure transformation. The Adani Group’s operational management, running through its subsidiary TRV (Kerala) International Airport Limited, brought the airport within the same management framework as Mangaluru, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Guwahati.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Connectivity: Gulf Routes and Metro Connectivity

By Air (Domestic): IndiGo (operating base) and Air India are the primary domestic carriers. Routes connect TRV to Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and other major Indian cities. Air India operates TRV as an operating base, providing domestic reach alongside Gulf connectivity.

By Air (International): Gulf connectivity is the dominant international traffic stream. Air India Express is an operating base carrier here, with flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat, Bahrain, Kuwait, Riyadh, and Jeddah. IndiGo also serves Gulf routes. Long-haul international options to London, Sri Lanka (Colombo), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur are available via connecting hubs or direct services. Cargo tonnage of 23,033 tonnes in 2024–25 (+25.2%) reflects the gold, electronics, and goods-in-transit flows associated with returning Gulf workers.

By Road: Pre-paid taxi or auto-rickshaw from the city centre takes 15 to 25 minutes. The airport is 6 km from the city centre. Ola and Uber operate. KSRTC buses connect the airport to the central bus station and across the city. The proximity to the city makes road access substantially less stressful than at airports located 35 to 50 km from their city centres.

By Rail: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is approximately 6 km from the airport. Trains connect to Kochi (approximately 4.5 hours), Kozhikode, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, and across the Southern Railway network. There is no direct rail link to the airport; a prepaid taxi or auto takes 15 to 25 minutes to the station.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Amenities: Fully-Featured International Gateway

TRV’s amenities reflect its status as a major international airport serving Gulf diaspora traffic. Both terminals have shops selling Ayurvedic products, Kerala spices (cardamom, pepper, cloves), banana chips, and other local specialities. T2’s international departures area has duty-free shopping for perfumes, alcohol, and electronics. Currency exchange counters and ATMs are available at both terminals. Multiple restaurants and cafes serve Kerala cuisine and standard café formats. Passenger lounges are available for eligible travellers — including Air India’s lounge for business-class and eligible frequent-flyer passengers.

Wi-Fi is available throughout both terminals. Wheelchair assistance and free trolleys are provided. Medical facilities are in place. The airport operates 24/7, essential for the early-morning Gulf arrivals and late-night departures that dominate TRV’s traffic pattern. Arriving 2 hours before domestic and 3 to 4 hours before Gulf international departures is advisable, with extra buffer during Onam and Eid peak periods.

The airport has parking facilities including multi-level structures with short-term and long-term options. Taxis, app-based cabs, and auto-rickshaws are readily available throughout Thiruvananthapuram; prepaid taxi counters are at major city points.

FAQs: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Q: What is the IATA code for Thiruvananthapuram International Airport?

A: The IATA code is TRV and the ICAO code is VOTV. The airport is at Chackai, 6 km west of Thiruvananthapuram city centre, and is operated by TRV (Kerala) International Airport Limited under the Adani Group.

Q: How many terminals does Thiruvananthapuram Airport have?

A: Two — T1 (domestic, 13,335 sq. metres, 18 check-in counters) and T2 (international, 32,528 sq. metres, 30 check-in counters, 26 immigration counters). Both are walkable from each other on the same campus.

Q: What is historically significant about Thiruvananthapuram Airport?

A: Established in 1932, it is Kerala’s first airport. It became India’s fifth international airport when declared international in 1991 — a milestone that opened direct Gulf connectivity for south Kerala’s large diaspora. It is also the southernmost international airport in the Indian subcontinent.

Q: What Gulf destinations are served from Thiruvananthapuram Airport?

A: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat, Bahrain, Kuwait, Riyadh, and Jeddah are among the regular Gulf routes, served by Air India Express, IndiGo, and other carriers. Gulf traffic is TRV’s dominant international demand driver.

Q: How far is Thiruvananthapuram Airport from Kovalam Beach?

A: Approximately 15 km from Kovalam Beach — around 25 to 35 minutes by taxi. The airport’s proximity to Thiruvananthapuram’s resort coast makes it the most convenient Kerala airport for beach tourism in the south.