Thiruvananthapuram Airport to Close for Five Hours for Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple’s Alpasi Arattu; City Declares Afternoon Holiday
The runway of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will be closed for five hours today, Thursday, October 30, 2025, in observance of the Alpasi Arattu festival at the revered Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. This temporary closure is to facilitate the traditional procession that forms an integral part of the Alpasi Arattu festivities.
Airport authorities (TIAL) have announced that all flight services will be suspended from 4:45 PM to 9:00 PM. Passengers are strongly advised to contact their respective airlines for updated flight schedules and timings to avoid any inconvenience.
In conjunction with the festival, government offices in Thiruvananthapuram city will observe an afternoon holiday, starting from 3:00 PM on Thursday. The grand Arattu procession is scheduled to commence at 5:00 PM from the west gate of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The procession’s route will take it through Vallakadavu and notably, across the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport runway, a unique tradition observed annually.
It is a customary practice for the airport runway to be closed not only for the Alpasi festival, which typically occurs in October-November, but also for the Pankuni festival, usually held in March-April. The Alpasi festival is a significant event that spans ten days, drawing devotees and spectators alike to witness its ancient rituals and colorful processions.