Thiruvananthapuram airport to suspend flights from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. today
Flight operations at Thiruvananthapuram airport will pause from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. today for the Alpassi Arattu procession; passengers should confirm revised timings with their airlines.
AI-generated representative illustration; it is not a documentary photograph of the 2026 Arattu event. Image: MyNilgiris/OpenAI.
Summary: Flight operations at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will be temporarily suspended today, October 20, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple’s Alpassi Arattu procession to cross the runway.
- Suspension: 4.00 p.m.–9.00 p.m. IST
- Date: October 20, 2026
- Passenger action: Confirm revised timings with the airline before leaving for the airport.
Multiple news organisations, citing Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd, independently confirmed the planned five-hour suspension. The procession carries the temple’s ceremonial idols across the runway on the way to Shangumugham beach for the ritual bath.
The general advisory does not provide a complete list of affected flights. Passengers should therefore rely on direct airline notifications and the airport’s official live flight-status page.
- Thiruvananthapuram International Airport — official live flight status
- Times of India — airport operator’s statement; published October 18, 2026 at 3.34 p.m. IST
- Hindustan Times — 4–9 p.m. suspension and Arattu route; published October 18, 2026
- Gulf News — passenger guidance to verify schedules; updated October 18, 2026 at 12.56 p.m.
