Domestic cargo movement at the Tiruchi International Airport is poised to take off following clearance granted by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), an independent department under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The BCAS clearance has fulfilled the long-pending demand for domestic cargo movement at the non-metro Tiruchi International Airport, which witnesses more overseas flight services than domestic operations. The BCAS had granted the final security vetting approval recently which has cleared the way for domestic cargo operations at Tiruchi airport.

The approval was accorded after sustained coordination by the Airports Authority of India with the relevant authorities to find a workable and secure solution to facilitate domestic cargo movement from Tiruchi airport. “A dedicated area adjacent to the international export cargo terminal has been identified for handling domestic cargo”, said Tiruchi Airport Director Tiruchi G. Gopalakrishnan.

The airport has been handling only overseas cargo which are exported through international carriers operating from here. Perishable goods such as vegetables, flowers, and fruits account for the maximum of overseas export cargo from Tiruchi, which serves as a key gateway for central and southern districts in the State.

Airport authorities said the BCAS clearance for domestic cargo movement would provide local businesses a faster channel to move goods to major domestic hubs without relying on cargo routed through other airports. Tthe move is set to unlock faster cargo connectivity for industry and trade in the region.

The requirement of a domestic cargo facility has long been highlighted by the industry as a necessity and the BCAS clearance has addressed that gap. “The approval reflects the Airport Authority of India’s continued commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and responding to the genuine, long-standing needs of the trade community. Tiruchi is a vital economic hub and enabling domestic cargo movement will give local businesses quicker access to national markets, support trade and add momentum to the region’s economic growth”, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said.

Customs will not be involved in domestic cargo movement. The domestic cargo will be subjected to thorough security screening by the certified screeners of the AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Ltd, a subsidiary of the Airports Authority of India, functioning at the Tiruchi airport, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said and added that the Tiruchi airport was ready for the new operation. Domestic services from the Tiruchi airport are being operated to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru.

Published - August 02, 2026 06:06 pm IST