Goa to Tiruchirapally IndiGo Flights

  About Goa

Located on the West coast of India is the quaint beachy paradise, also known as Goa. The state of Goa is hardly 3,700 sq. km, with a small population that is known to be one of the biggest tourist destinations in India. The state has a heavy Portuguese influence and culture as it is a former colony. Thanks to their Portugal-influenced, the culture and outlook of Goa are visibly diverse from the other parts of India. Goa sees a regular throng of tourists as Indian and international travellers constantly flock over to the tropical state. The domestic and international routes are well-connected, making travelling by flight to Goa, an easy task.

Best time to visit Goa

The best season to visit Goa is undeniably winter! The winters in Goa call for a celebration as the temperatures drop to offer a pleasant atmosphere. The months starting from October to February are peak season where Goa sees an abundance of travellers. The flight tickets to Goa during this season is also quite expensive as the demand is high. However, with various music festivals, Christmas and the spirit of New Year's taking over, Goa easily becomes one of the best places in winters.

The monsoon season that stretches between June to September is ideal for nature enthusiasts. While many assume Goa's beaches to be its identity, the green expanses of the Western Ghats that passes through Goa get some love from nature enthusiasts. The state's hues change from sparkling blue to emerald green, and it is worth exploring.

The summers are considered to be bad as the tropical region faces sweltering temperatures. Often the mercury spikes up to 40 degree Celsius, making it unbearably hot. The flight tickets to Goa are cheap during this season for obvious reasons. If you can handle the heat, then you can make use of good flight deals and book flight tickets to Goa.

Places to visit in Goa

Museums and art galleries

The state might be known for its tourism, but they also indulge in arts and culture. There are many art galleries around the Old Goa region. The state's Portugal roots can further be explored by visiting the Goa State Museum. You should also visit the Museum for technology and Art, which goes by the name Sensistan. Benaulim's Houses of Goa, Goa Chitra Museum and many other religious art museums have intriguing stories that should be explored.

Beaches

Goa's highlight is the beaches, the cuisine and the nightlife. The pristine blue waters by the coasts sparkle under the sun and attract people from all over the world. The most famous and best beaches in Goa include Palolem, Vagator, Chapora, Anjuna, Arambol, Morjim, Colva, Candolim, Mandrem, Butterfly, Agonda, Calangute, etc. The best thing to in Goa to travel within would be to rent a vehicle and beach hop as every beach caters to a certain kind of audience. Depending on your vibe, you might enjoy a certain stretch of beach. The beautiful beaches are definitely worth it.

Churches

The famed Bom Jesus Basilica with the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier is a legendary church. Built in 1605, the church's distinctive architecture using wood, gold, stone and granite gives it a vintage vibe. Not to mention how you will get to witness the miraculous undecomposed body of Francis Xavier, whose body is preserved by the church officials. Other notable churches include the Church of St Francis of Assisi, Church of St Catejan, Se Cathedral and Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Things to do in Goa

Water sports

Goa has copious amounts of water sports activities that would keep you indulged all-day. Right from learning how to surf to snorkelling to kayaking in the wide sea, there are various water sports that you can take up. Specific beaches host scuba diving and snorkelling activities while some are known for their parasailing, banana boat ride, ferry tours and other such activities. Depending on which part of the state you're in, you'll get to experience the said kind of water sport.

Beach hopping

The beaches of Goa can either by calm and quaint or loud and noisy. Depending on which neighbourhood you choose, you'll find your own sweet nirvana. The North beaches are more commercial with Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna, Vagator and more, experiencing excessive crowd. The South beaches are quaint and quiet with luxury settings and fewer crowds. If you wish to indulge in water sports and other such activities, then you should head to North where they happen in abundance. If taking strolls at the beach or going for a swim is what you wish to do then the South beaches are it for you. You can rent bikes or cars and go on a beach-hopping spree.

Ocean treks

To reach some beaches in Goa, you will have to trek the trails. The Butterfly Beach in South Goa is one such beach where you need to trek up the stony trails to reach the exquisite and quaint beach. It is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in the state. Parts of Cabo de Rama beach also expects you to do some trekking, which only adds to the fun of diving in the sea. North Goa's Arambol beach is also famous for ocean treks.

Quad Biking

If you wish to take a day's break from the beaches and the water, you can head to the adventure side of Goa where you'll find quad bike tours. Basically, you can do dirt bike riding on muddy terrains created. You don't need to be an expert to indulge in this activity as it doesn't require any levels of riders.

Casino and cruises

Goa's nightlife is just as lit as the beaches it offers. While there are regulated parties that take place on the beaches and even some nightclubs, there are dedicated cruises and casino parlours too. Try some play of dice at one of these casinos or hit the party scenes to experience the nightlife of Goa.

Food and Restaurants in Goa

As a coastal state, Goa's staple food involves fish curry and rice. The place serves the most exquisite seafood that one can ask for. The beach shacks have Continental, Seafood and Indian food cuisines as options. A majority of the tourists usually choose seafood over everything else. For the best ambience and piquant seafood, you should visit Curly's in North Goa and Fisherman's Wharf in South Goa. Other places with great seafood are The Lazy Goose, Amavi, Starlight, Ritz Classic, Gunpowder, etc.

While seafood is a staple, the iconic Goan dishes are actually made from pork. Acquaint yourself with names such as Vindaloo, Xacuti, Chorizo and Sorpotel as these Goan dishes are a big hit. From street food to lavish restaurant dining, you'll meet with all kinds of experiences in Goa, and they will all be memorable. The beach shacks also have Goan dishes in their menu so you can always mix up the platter. If seafood is a little too much for you to deal with, then an Italian rendezvous at Da Tita might go down well with you.

How to reach Goa

By Air

Goa's Dabolim Airport, located in Vasco da Gama, is the only airport in the State. Due to the popularity of the state, and the fact that it is the most sought-after destination for Indians, as well as international tourists, the flight connectivity to and from Goa, is incredible. Direct flight to Goa is available from Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Jaipur and more. International flights from Goa are also available as some direct planes are flying to Kuwait, UAE, Doha, etc. Although no direct flights are connecting Goa to Western Europe, USA, Russia and the UK, great connectivity and layovers have enabled these international destinations to be connected to Goa.

Nonstop domestic airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, GoAir, Air Asia and Vistara are available. It would be ideal to book your hotels ahead of your trip as shuttle services to pick you up from Goa airport would be convenient. On off-seasons, the flight tickets are cheap and affordable. However, if you wish to travel during their peak season, it is best to book flight tickets in advance for great flight deals online.

By Rail

There are two main railway stations namely, Madgaon Junction and Thivim, which connect other cities to South and North Goa respectively. Direct trains following domestic routes to Goa are also available from Mumbai, Delhi, Mangalore, Kochi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, to name a few.

By Road

A majority of crowd from the Mumbai and Pune region often use the road as a means to reach Goa. There are overnight buses that travel from Mumbai to Goa, which makes travelling convenient. Various public and private bus service providers have sleeper and Volvo seater buses going to Goa. You can either get down at Mapusa Bus Stand for North Goa or Panjim Bus Stand and Madgaon Bus Stand if you're opting for the South beaches. The State-serviced Kadamba Transport is also available and connects to various neighbouring states such as Karnataka and Maharashtra.

  About Tiruchirappali

Tiruchirappalli is famously known by its shorter forms, Trichy and Tiruchi. It is a big city in Tamil Nadu and the fourth largest in terms of urban agglomeration. The city sits in the centre of the state of Tamil Nadu and enjoys a plethora of pilgrimage sites. Tiruchirappalli also has the Kaveri river flowing through the city. In the ancient years, the city is known to have been under the rule of various dynasties such as Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Pallavas and Nayaks too. Hence, the city has interesting structures and temples that glorify the ancient dynasties.

Tiruchirappalli is a major roadway and railway hub in the south of the state. Not to mention how it also has an international airport. In fact, the Tiruchirappalli International Airport has about five domestic flight services and seven international flights flying in and out of the city. Tiruchirappalli's international routes by flights are well-connected. Not to mention the flight connectivity of Tiruchirappalli to Indian metro cities is also quite remarkable.

Best time to visit Tiruchirapalli

Being on the Southern-most district of Tamil Nadu, Tiruchirapalli suffers from the excess heat and humidity that comes with summer. Not to mention how the weather continues to stay back to make it uncomfortable for people. Locals are used to the hot and humid weather which is teamed with erratic rain schedules and downpour. The maximum temperature peaks up to 41 degree Celsius in Tiruchirapalli during summers. The months from March to May are not ideal for tourism in the city. With temperatures ranging from 36 degree Celsius to 41 degree Celsius, it doesn't look good for tourism. Sadly, the humidity makes it worse. Flight tickets to Tiruchirapalli during this time is actually low and affordable. Many use this opportunity to leave the city and go someplace with cool vibes. If you do plan to visit the city during winter, then be prepared for the excess heat. Carry appropriate clothes on your trip and do not venture out without a bottle of water. Constant hydration is required, especially during summers.

June to September is monsoon month for Tiruchirapalli. However, the weather is erratic with moderate to heavy rainfalls taking over the city. While the rains do bring some relief to people who have been dealing with the scorching summer sun at Tiruchirapalli, it is accompanied by humidity, something worse than heat. There is excess moisture in the air which only makes the city hotter. However, as long as you pick a pleasant date when the heat won't be too much, that would be ideal. Plus, the city does witness scenic bliss as the rain drenches the town and its greenery. The whole sight is beautiful and worth witnessing. Hotel bookings in Tiruchirapalli with monsoon present is quite cheap and affordable. As it is an off-season for the tourism in the city, they drop the accommodation prices to make it friendly for every kind of pocket.

Out of the three seasons, winter is the most pleasant to be experienced by the city and in the city. With winters, the temperatures actually drop down to 19 degree Celsius. In fact, the maximum it rises to is 22 degree Celsius. Not only is this favourable for tourism, but it is also suitable for locals to engage the travellers. With less heat in the environment, it is a tremendous spike in the tourism of the city. Pilgrims flock over to visit some of the temples in the city, the hotel bookings at Tiruchirapalli are reasonable, if not expensive. December to February is especially ideal for tourism as the weather is simply out of the world.

Places to visit in Tiruchirapalli

Tiruchirapalli is recognised as a temple city, much like many other cities in Tamil Nadu. With the Dravidian-style architecture and gopurams in every temple, the city witnesses beautiful temple shrines that only add more charm to pilgrimage. During your time in the city, seek blessings at the Samayapuram Amman Temple, Rockfort Ganpathi Temple, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Viralimalai Murugan Temple, to name a few temples. The tourist attractions in Tiruchirapalli are mostly temples. However, some exceptions are found with the presence of the Kallanai Dam and Makkombu, a picnic spot.

Things to do in Tiruchirappali

Aside from pilgrimage, there is nothing much to do in the city. In fact, what you can do is visit the temples and learn about their significance. The Kolli Hills are located closeby and can be visited. You can sit under the Puliyancholai Waterfalls and feel at peace with a tranquil surrounding. Within the Kolli Hills, there is another waterfall called Agaya Gangai Waterfalls, which you should explore. The white waterfall is a beautiful sight.

Food and Restaurants in Tiruchirapalli

Tiruchirappalli might be known for South Indian cuisine, but they also entertain varied styles of cooking that don't necessarily have to be Indian. From Chinese to Italian, you will find some exciting tastes from the global kitchen. As a city with many temples and holy sites, Tiruchirappalli offers a range of mainly South Indian vegetarian dishes. The restaurants have recipes ranging from the staple idli, vada, sambar to some interesting twist of coastal seafood such as prawns, fish curry and more. You will not be bored with the food in the city as it caters to a diverse background. Of course, though, the highlight of the dishes has got to be Chettinad-style food. The said dish is quite popular in Tamil Nadu. It involves sun-dried meat marinated with freshly ground spices to give it lovely flavours. You should totally taste Chettinad food.

This can be found at Kannappa Chettinad Restaurant. The hotel chain is quite snazzy with an impeccable dining hall and perfect for a family outing. The place also serves pepper chicken and mutton biryani. Ezham Suvai is another amazing restaurant that plays with flavours to give the best food to the customers. Thanks to its diversity in cuisine, the place is always packed with tourists and even locals. It offers a splendid fusion of cuisine ranging from Gujarati, Jain, Chinese and Tandoori. However, to get the best of tandoori, you should definitely head to the Arab Spice Family restaurant. With moderate prices for dishes, the place certainly has great service and food.

Chellammal Samayal, Apple Millet, Banana Leaf are some of the restaurant chains that stick to the basics of traditional South India food. They sell authentic food and great ambience to the customers, which works out pretty well for them. Trichy Arusuvai restaurant, Meridian restaurant, Padma Cafe, are also some lovely restaurants where you will be met with tasty food.

How to reach Tiruchirappalli (Transportation)

By Air

Tiruchirappalli International Airport is acknowledged as the third largest airport in the state of Tamil Nadu, after Chennai and Coimbatore, in terms of passenger traffic. As the airport serves flights coming in from international routes to Tiruchirappalli, it experiences a good passenger footfall. The flight connectivity to Tiruchirappalli from cities such as Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai, Hyderabad, to name a few, is splendid. More than serving flights coming from domestic routes in Tiruchirappalli, the airport caters to international cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and more. Airlines such as AirAsia, IndiGo, SriLankan Airlines, Alliance Air, Air India Express, Scoot and more, have flights flying to and from Tiruchirappalli on a regular basis. The airport has a fascinating history as it was established amid the Second World War by the British. Used by the British Airforce, the airport played a base to the British warplanes during the war. The airport is accessible too as it is only 5 km away from the main city, making transit within the city favourable.

By Rail

Just like the airport, even the Tiruchirappalli Junction is considered to be an important railway station in Tamil Nadu. After Chennai and Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli Junction becomes the third important railway junction in the state due to its excellent network with neighbouring cities. It is necessary that you first check the train schedule and ticket availability. The city witnesses tremendous footfall from other cities in India, making ticket reservations a little questionable. A majority of tourists usually opt for the railways to reach the city due to its good connectivity. Major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Delhi have dedicated express trains to and from Tiruchirappalli. Express trains such as Kanyakumari Express, Mumbai - Nagercoil Express, Thirukkkural Express and Anantapuri Express are some of the trains that regularly visit the city.

By Road

As a flourishing city, the road connectivity to Tiruchirappalli is also just as good as the flight and train connectivity. The Central Bus Station sees bus services from various cities within Tamil Nadu as well as cities from neighbouring states. In fact, some buses are also available that travel from Kolkata, Vizag, Bangalore, and more. Ticket bookings can be made via online apps and through a travel agent. However, in comparison to the other modes of transport, travelling to Tiruchirappalli via road is considered to be the least favourable. The roads leading to the city is not well-maintained. Not to mention how the duration and comfort level is compromised when travelling via road. Best to opt for a more viable choice such as flights to Tiruchirappalli or trains, unless you're travelling from within the state. There are many buses and domestic routes connected to Tiruchirappalli from Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, and more.

  About Indigo Airlines

Indigo is the largest passenger airline in India and the oldest one, too, in terms of passengers that it carries and its fleet size. It operates about 1500 flights every day to 87 destinations, of which 63 are domestic, and 24 are international destinations. Its primary hub is at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Indigo commenced operations in 2006 and went on to become the largest India carrier by passenger market share in 2012. It connects to all major Indian cities and small cities like Aizawl, Agra and so on. Internationally, it connects to Athens, Brussels, Budapest, Tel Aviv, Malta, Paris, Dublin, Copenhagen, Zurich, Prague, Amsterdam, London, London Heathrow and Gatwick among others. Not only is it a low-cost operator in India, but it is also a low-cost airline globally. Indigo is also India's most preferred airline and for the right reasons. It offers great service at low fares and does not disappoint its passengers. It has grown to become one of the most trusted airlines in the country.

Indigo has a fleet size of more than 260 and has also been getting the 'Great Place to Work for in India' title for eight years in a row now. It was also given Aon's Best Employer in 2016 and 2017. It has been running profitable operations for ten consecutive years. It is considered as the most valuable and strongest airline brand in the country. In 2010, Indigo had replaced Air India as the third largest airline in India. In 2013, it became the second fastest-growing low-cost carrier in Asia after Lion Air, an Indonesian airline.

One of the specialities of Indigo is that it is customer-oriented, efficient and offers great services. It also offers low fares, which makes it one of the preferred airlines in the country. It is also one of the only airlines that connect to so many cities across the country. It operates to cities like Agartala, Aizawl, Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Belagavi, Aurangabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, Dimapur and the list goes on. Since Indigo is a low-cost carrier, it only offers economy class seating. However, you get to choose a seat of your preference in advance if you pay a little extra. There is no in-flight entertainment or pre-booked meals. You can buy your in-flight meals after the take-off, and you will be dependent on your own electronics and headsets to keep yourself entertained during the flight.

Fleet Size of Indigo

Indigo has one of the largest fleets of aircraft in the country, which enables it to run 1500 flights daily. It has 123 Airbus A320-200 in service that can accommodate 180 passengers. It also has 100 Airbus A320neo in service and ordered for 232 more, making it the largest operator. In addition to this, it has 15 Airbus A321neo aircraft in service that can accommodate 222 passengers each and has placed an order for 135 more aircraft of the same category. It also has 25 ATR 72-600 which can seat 74 passengers per flight.

In 2005, Indigo had placed an order for 100 Airbus A320-200 aircraft and commenced operations in 2006. In 2011, it placed an order for 180 Airbus A320 aircraft. It was a great year for the airline since it also got the permission to launch international flights that year. In 2015, it placed an order for 250 Airbus A320neo, which was the largest single order in Airbus' history. It made headlines quickly. In 2019, it placed another order for 300 Airbus A320neo aircraft and broke its own record. Later that year, it became the first Indian airline to operate 1500 flights daily. It also became the first airline to have a fleet size of 250+ aircraft. The Airbus A320neo and Airbus A320-200 have non-reclining seats, but there are a few seats that give you extra legroom. The ATR 72-600 has a twin-seat setting which not only gives you extra space but also gives you a lot of privacy. You won't have to sit next to a third stranger or sit uncomfortably.

Baggage Allowance

Indigo has certain baggage allowance restrictions that every passenger is expected to follow. You can carry cabin baggage that weighs up to 7 kg and check-in luggage up to 20 kg. However, for certain international destinations like Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Colombo, Kuwait and so on, the maximum limit on check-in luggage is 30 kg. If your luggage exceeds the maximum limit, you will have to pay a certain fee depending on the weight. You will also need to inform the airline staff a couple of hours before boarding the flight about the excess luggage so they can make the necessary arrangements. You can do so through the website or get in touch with the call centre. An executive will help you complete the process without any hindrance or complications. It is advisable to get your web check-in done in advance so you can sail through all the formalities at the airport smoothly.

If you are carrying bigger bags with you that have golf clubs or surfboard bags, you will have to pay approximately Rs. 1200 /- for domestic and Rs. 2500/- for international trips to accommodate it in the check-in luggage. Please ensure that you carry important things like medicines, electronics or perishable items in your cabin luggage. Portable chargers and power banks go in your hand luggage and not the check-in luggage. You will not have to check-in again to collect your bags if you have to board a connecting flight. The airline makes sure that you receive your baggage at your final destination. Please ensure that you are not carrying anything that has been prohibited by the airline like explosives, hazardous or flammable objects, sharp objects and electronics. You will also have to reach the airport a couple of hours before your flight so you can get through the security formalities well in advance.

In-flight Services

Indigo's in-flight services are quite limited. In fact, the airline does not have any in-flight entertainment services. Since it operates on low fares, it does not provide complimentary meals on any of its flights. However, you can buy meals on board. The airline does offer premium services like pre-booking seats, priority check-in and multiple cancellations at a higher price. You can also get your hands on Indigo's magazine called Hello 6E. With the increasing competition and passenger's will to pay extra for comfort and convenience, the airline is also bringing in new offers and services for its passengers. The airline had also announced its tie-up with SonyLiv in 2019 that it will provide to its passengers as in-flight entertainment. You can also check out their website to find out more services that are offered by the airline.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Indigo

Indigo connects to various domestic and international routes regularly. Indigo connects to 63 domestic destinations and 24 international ones. It got the permission to expand its operations internationally in 2011. The domestic cities that Indigo is connected to are Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Agra, Aizawl, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Coimbatore and so on. The international destinations include Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Athens, Brussels, Budapest, Colombo, Bangkok, Dubai, Dublin, Dhaka, Hanoi, Istanbul, London and so on. The airline is quite particular about punctuality, and there are rarely any delays in flights unless there is an emergency or bad climatic conditions. You can also lookup offers and services on their website to make sure you make the most of your trip. Since the airline has already ordered more aircraft, there are high chances that they will add more cities to the list. Indigo will definitely go on to breaking more records and even making some in the next few years.

Why Travel by Indigo?

Indigo is one of the most prestigious and low fare airlines in the country. It made its way to the top airlines in the country quite quickly and made sure that passengers experienced the best services at a minimal price. It is also one of the largest airlines in the country that operates 1500 flights to domestic and international routes daily. It connects 24 international and 63 domestic destinations. It has its major hubs at Chennai International Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. You can check the Indigo flight schedule and your flight status on their website. The airline also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The airline has also won several awards and accolades for its service over the years. Customers rarely have a disappointing experience flying with Indigo. If you are a frequent flyer, you might even get discounts and other offers while booking your next flight. Make sure you go through the offers on the airline's website. You can also get in touch with an executive at the call centre to know more about the offers.

  About Goa Airport

Dabolim Airport is the sole domestic and international airport in the state of Goa. Situated in Dabolim, about 4 km from Vasco da Gama and 23 km from the oldest city Margao and 30 km from the state capital, Panjim, the airport is perched up the Arabian Sea. The airport is a civil enclave (a joint-use airport) and is also operated by the Indian Navy's naval airbase, INS Hansa. Goa Airport witnesses a plethora of international passengers throughout the year, especially from the European continent and many from the United Kingdom as well. IN 2013, the airport inaugurated its integrated terminal to increase the passenger handling capacity. The airport recorded capacity of 7.6 million passengers in the fiscal year 2017-18.

Dabolim Airport witnesses many European-charter airlines with flights flying to and from the city on a seasonal basis. There are dedicated charter flights from the United Kingdom, operated by TUI Airways or popularly known as just TUI. These charter flights function from the UK as well as the Republic of Ireland. Along with flights from the UK, Dabolim Airport also witnesses seasonal charter flights from Russian cities. With a consistent increase in passenger traffic and air traffic congestion, a proposal to introduce a second airport in Mopa has been granted a green signal. Mopa Airport is set to complete construction by 2022 and will see flight operations soon.

About Goa Airport terminals

Currently, Dabolim Airport accommodates two terminals for domestic and international flight operations. Terminal 1 handles all flight activities for domestic airlines. Meanwhile, Terminal 2 takes care of international flight operations ranging from landing to take off. The domestic terminal covered an area of 21,527 square feet and was constructed in 1983 while the international terminal came into existence in 1996, covering an area of 10,763 square feet. However, with a tremendous increase in passenger congestion and air traffic, the airport constructed an integrated terminal building to cater to both domestic as well as international passengers. The same was opened in 2013 with extensive features.

The design and layout of the building are aesthetic which comprises of glass and large steel span structures along with frameless glazing. The integrated terminal sprawls across 36,000 square metres and has been designed to accommodate five million passengers in a year. The terminal is also equipped with eight aerobridges. Some of the outstanding features of the terminal include an in-line baggage scanning system, 75 check-in counters, 22 immigration counters for departures, 18 immigration counters for arrivals and a total of 14 security check counters. The check-in counters are located on the ground floor, while the first floor has security checks. Following the installation of the new integrated terminal building, the old ones have been closed.

About Airport Authority

Dabolim Airport is currently being operated under the Airports Authority of India. The government statutory body which falls under the Ministry of Aviation has worked tirelessly towards enhancing the structure of Goa Airport. Over the years, the airport has undergone several upgradations and modernisation. All the expansion projects have been undertaken by the Airports Authority of India. This includes funding and management decisions concerning the projects. Under the AAI, the airport renewed its terminal building into an integrated one that would cater to accommodating international and domestic activities. Some of their works also include installation of the multi-level car parking facility to enable parking of about 570 cars along with parking bays for aircraft. They have also asked for the Indian Navy and the State Government to help them acquire lands to expand the aprons and the older international terminal building space.

The airport is spread across 1,700 acres of land and also accommodates a civil enclave of 35 acres. On a daily basis, Dabolim Airport witnesses about 180 flights with a large concentration of passenger traffic between 1 PM to 9 PM on weekdays. The airport is supposed to function between the slated time slot during weekdays for civilian as it has some naval restrictions. The military requires flight training activities to continue during a specific time period and hence follows the specified rules throughout the year.

As the airport is jointly operated by the Indian Navy and the Airports Authority of India, the two parties entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2017, to construct a full-length parallel taxi track that would be suitable to accommodate aircraft like Boeing 747. Both parties will share the construction cost. For the expansion project, Dabolim Airport also received environmental clearance in 2018. The project has been divided into three phases and is set to be completed in a scheduled manner. The first phase of the airport was completed in 2019, which resulted in an increase in the runway's capacity from 15 air traffic activities in an hour to 18-20 air traffic movements per hour.

Facilities at the Goa Airport

Lounge – Goa Airport has a VIP lounge that only caters to travellers with specific access passes or ticket types.

WiFi – Dabolim Airport offers free WiFi services to everyone. There are no restrictions as such. The same good speed can be availed at the common lounge as well as VIP lounges too.

ATMs and currency exchange – As it is an international airport, provisions for currency exchanges and ATMs are also present at Dabolim Airport. You will receive decent exchange rates for the currency exchange. Further, you can also transfer money to your overseas accounts.

Baby care facilities – The airport has reserved special rooms for baby care. These rooms are well-lit and have all the necessary items to cater to a baby and a new mother's comfort. A cosy chair, as well as a changing table, is also available in the baby care room. Plus, the room is private and only allows mothers with babies to enter.

Restaurants – Some many restaurants and cafes are present in the premise of Dabolim Airport. These restaurants majorly have Goan cuisine. However, there are continental, and other global cuisines also present in the airport. As you wait for boarding, indulging in food could be a good way to kill time.

Medical services – The airport has a dedicated team of medical experts that clock in 24/7. Along with professionals, Dabolim Airport also has a room reserved for doctors to take the emergency cases to. These rooms are well-equipped with basic first aid kits and medical facilities. A paramedic is also present in the airport vicinity.

Spa - A dedicated spa service is available at both the terminals of Dabolim Airport. If there are any flight delays or you have enough time in hand, you can avail their excellent spa services.

Top airlines flying from Goa Airport

Many domestic airlines are operating from Goa Airport. These include AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, TruJet and Vistara. These airlines have flights connecting Dabolim Airport to major cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mysore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Nagpur, Amritsar, Srinagar, Varanasi, Kochi, Lucknow, Nashik, Surat, Madurai, Hubli, Guwahati, Coimbatore and more. In terms of international flights that operate from Goa Airport, these include Air Arabia, Oman Air and Qatar Airways. They connect to cities such as Muscat, Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, Kuwait City and more. The airport also accommodates seasonal airlines such as TUI Airways, Air Ukraine and Thomas Cook Airlines during peak season as the demand for the state is quite high in terms of tourism.

How to reach Goa Airport

Reaching Goa Airport is quite convenient, even though it is in the outskirts of the city. Passengers can take buses, taxi cabs and trains as well to reach any part of the state.

By Bus and taxi cabs

With respect to buses, the city of Vasco da Gama is only 4 km away. Several public buses can be taken to reach Goa Airport. The closes stop to the airport is Chicalim bus stop, which is located about 1.5 km apart. Many public buses run by the state are connected to Vasco da Gama. From the city of Vasco da Gama, you can always take taxi services to reach Goa Airport. Provisions of local mini-buses are also available to the airport from Vasco da Gama and Chicalim. Similarly, taxi cab services are available within the city. The city of Goa has its mobile app to book prepaid taxis and vehicles to smooth the process of travelling within the state and reaching Dabolim Airport. The government is also working towards constructing a 6-lane expressway that would make connections to the airport easier from major cities in Goa. Similarly, a monorail system is also being proposed.

By Rail

Dabolim has a railway station going by the same name. It is the nearest station from Goa Airport. You can take the train service to reach Dabolim Airport from various parts of Goa such as Tivim in North Goa, Ponda and Margao in South Goa. The railway station is quite in proximity to the airport and is hence, considered to be one of the cheap and affordable options to reach Goa Airport.

  About Tiruchirapalli Airport

Tiruchirapalli International Airport serves the city of Tiruchirapalli, which is located in the Southern district of Tamil Nadu, in India. The airport is situated on National Highway 336 and is approximately 5 km from the city centre. It is recorded as the 31st busiest airports in India, in terms of passenger traffic and is the third-largest airport in the state of Tamil Nadu, after Chennai and Coimbatore. The Tiruchirapalli International Airport is also recognised as the only airport in Tamil Nadu to serve more international airlines than domestic ones. Overall, the airport allows operations and connectivity of 7 international destinations and five domestic. Originally, the airport came into existence during World War II and served the British as part of their British Airforce. It catered as a maintenance dock for warplanes. After the war ended though, the locals received permission to convert it into a civilian airport for passenger travel operations.

About Tiruchirapalli Airport Terminals

The Tiruchirapalli International Airport has two terminals to cater to domestic and international airlines. The terminals are adjacent and have an integrated passenger terminal which is utilised for both, domestic and international air traffic. The older terminal has now been converted into an international cargo complex which stands at an area of 43,000 sq ft cargo complex. It was commissioned back in 2011 for operational purposes. The terminal is two-story and is handled with a capacity of nearly 0.49 passengers, per year. On peak hours, the capacity of the airport to handle passengers is 470. The new terminal has various intriguing features, including 12 check-in counters with 16 immigration counters. A baggage assistance counter is also present where you can get your baggage wrapping done if needed. There are two lounges in the Tiruchirapalli International Airport with a VIP lounge that is handled by the AAI. The airport also has five X-ray scanners to help with baggage that can later be sent for check-in. With three aerobridges and seven aircraft stands, the airport further has enough space for parking. Expansion work is in progress at the Tiruchirapalli International Airport.

About airport authority

The Tiruchirapalli International Airport is owned by the Ministry of Civil Aviation while it is operated under the Airports Authority of India. Also known as AAI, the statutory body works under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Overall, the organisation falls under the Government of India and takes the responsibility of upgradation, maintenance and management of the aviation activities along with the infrastructure of all the airports owned by them. The Airports Authority of India came into existence in 1994 after a merge between the two bodies International Airports Authority of India and National Airports Authority was commissioned. Since then, the body is responsible for all the airports that fall under its direct wing.

Top airlines flying from Trichy Airport

Tiruchirappalli International Airport serves majorly as an international airport as it has more airlines for destinations abroad. Even the airport has more international airlines operating as opposed to the domestic ones. You can find international airlines such as AirAsia, Air India Express, Malindo Air, Scoot and Srilankan Airlines, operate from the Tiruchirappalli International Airport. The airlines connect to international cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Sharjah, Singapore, Dubai and Colombo-Bandaranaike. The airport is quite popular for the excellent connectivity it has with foreign countries. Meanwhile, only two domestic airlines are operating from the Tiruchirappalli International Airport. Alliance Air and IndiGo are the two domestic airlines that have flight services from the Trichy International Airport. The airlines cater to connecting the Tiruchirappalli International Airport with Indian cities such as Delhi, Madurai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. The airport only caters to major cities in the South of India with New Delhi as an exception.

Facilities at Tiruchirapalli Airport

Lounge - Operated by the Airports Authority of India, Tiruchirapalli Airport has two lounges. Presently, the airport caters to the VIP lounge and the CIP (important commercial persons) lounge. Both the lounges are managed by AAI and are present in the new integrated terminal. The lounges are reserved only for people with specific ticket types or memberships with airlines. Some of the finest facilities are available at the airport lounge to cater to the comfort needs of the passengers. The seating arrangement is relaxing, and the ambience is also perfect for passengers to unwind while they wait to board the flight. There are facilities to rest in the airport lounge as well. You can sleep for a bit before your flight takes off.

Baggage - The airport's baggage facilities are also quite good. They have many services ranging from porter facilities to baggage wrapping deals. You can get your baggage wrapped in plastic at the airport. The benefits of this are that your baggage will be safe and secure. In the case of mishandling or theft, the same would be recognised by the tampering of the luggage. Trolleys are also available at all junctions of the airport's departure and arrivals sections.

Special assistance - Facilities to accommodate special assistance with respect to helping passengers with mobility issues and such are provided at Tiruchirapalli Airport. It is recommended that the passenger inform the airlines about the special requirements beforehand. That way, the airport would be able to reserve all the necessary equipment as well as a staff to help them with their travel concerns. They have professionals who will help the passenger with wheelchairs and other such amenities.

Restaurants and cafes - Food-related services are also available at the airport. You can opt for a snack or delve into a full-course meal. The airport has small-time local joints as well as decent restaurants available. These can be found near the departure and arrival sections of the new integrated terminal. There are multiple establishments for coffee, tea and other beverages as well.

Medical services - First aid is a necessity that every airport should have. Tiruchirapalli Airport has also ensured to follow the same protocol by installing proper medical service counters at all junctions. There is a dedicated room for medical emergencies. Simultaneously, the airport also has pharmacies present in the vicinity. You can find medications or experts to help you with the same.

ATMs - There are dedicated ATM kiosks also available at Tiruchirapalli Airport. In case you have run out of cash and need to withdraw some for airport indulgences, you wouldn't have to worry as they do have ATMs. The shops in the airport vicinity also accept credit and debit cards along with some other means of money transfers.

Duty-Free shops - Much recently, the airport has introduced duty-free shops where passengers can purchase handicrafts and other items. The shops sell some of the finest goods such as coffee, religious items and handicrafts that are a speciality of Tiruchirapalli. You will find some small idols of gods as well, including that of Lord Ganesha. The shops are a good way to kill time before you can board your flight.

Travel agents - At the airport, another perk is to find travel agents who can book touristy activities, hotels and transportation on your behalf. They are present in the arrivals section. The travel agents also have enough information and passenger guide to the city that you can check out. From city attractions to how to reach places, the airport's travel agents would help you out with all the necessary information.

Smoking rooms - There are dedicated smoking zones also available at the airport. To avoid smoking in public, the airport has installed a smoking lounge. Passengers are prohibited from smoking anywhere else but the lounge facility.

How to reach Trichy Airport

The Tiruchirappalli International Airport is situated on the National Highway 336, connecting Pudukottai and Trichy. It has great connectivity with bus services from within the city. There are city buses from the Central Bus Stand and Chatram Bus Stand that connect directly to the airport. You can reach the Tiruchirappalli International Airport by hopping onto one of the buses. These buses would drop you to the airport terminal, which is perfect. The buses are exclusively operated to make reaching the Tiruchirappalli International Airport far more convenient. No metre-line connects to the airport, neither is there a nearby railway station. Aside from the buses, booking a rental is one of the easiest ways to reach Trichy Airport. Much recently, a taxiway and passenger terminal have been constructed at the Tiruchirappalli International Airport.

About Tiruchirapalli

Tiruchirapalli or famously referred to as Trichy or Tiruchi is a major city in the state of Tamil Nadu. The city is known to be the fourth largest following Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai, in the state. Geographically, the city is located right in the centre of the state with Cauvery Delta beginning about 16 km from the west of Tiruchirapalli. The city's recorded history dates back to 3rd century BC with the rule of the Cholas. The city has also witnessed the rule of the Pandayas, Nayak Dynasty, Pallavas, Vijaynagar Empire and eventually, the British Raj. The diverse reign is reflected in their monuments and historic sites. The city houses one of the most engineering universities in the state, the National Institute of Technology.