Privatise Chennai airport at the earliest, air passengers say

A monkey’s entry into Chennai airport’s international terminal on Tuesday not only drew the ire of air passengers but also reignited the old debate over why the airport must be privatised as soon as possible.

Air passengers said that it is important to ramp up plans to bring in a private operator for the airport, given that the Parandur airport project has been dropped and plans to find an alternative site for the second airport are only in the earliest stages. Be it the delay in the inauguration of the T3 Terminal or the lack of adequate food and retail options, air passengers said they deserve to experience the standards of a private airport like Bengaluru or Hyderabad in Chennai as well. 

“Take the case of the cab pick-up plaza. It was ready for the last nine months, but was inaugurated only recently after so much pressure from passengers. If it were a private operator, he wouldn’t wait so long to inaugurate a facility. Similarly, the deadline for the T3 Terminal has been extended so many times. Whatever the reasons may be, can an integrated terminal construction go on for nearly seven years?” Dayanand Krishnan, a frequent flyer, asked.

The newly inaugurated cab pickup plaza at Chennai International Airport in Meenambakkam. (File photo)
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RAGU R

Sowdeshwar Sarveshakumar, another frequent flyer, said the ambience and maintenance that a private airport provides are definitely far superior. “There is a wide variety of eateries and retail outlets in a private airport. Time passes effortlessly before boarding the flight, but that’s not the case in Chennai airport. The ambience and architecture too are much more pleasant and beautiful in a private airport, and Bengaluru’s new terminal is a classic example. Also, the private airport manages to get more connectivity to many more destinations, which we are unable to. I hope the airport is at least privatised soon,” he added.

Sources in AAI said it is true that the planning and execution of some projects get delayed at times because they need permission from the headquarters in New Delhi. Such situations are less likely to happen for a private operator. 

In addition to this, congestion at the cargo terminal is another key issue adding to the woes of the airport.

Dinesh Krishnan, National Treasurer, Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI), said, “The core reason for congestion at the Chennai Air Cargo Complex is the acute shortage of terminal space relative to export demand, compounded by operational productivity bottlenecks. While the airport’s passenger facilities have undergone significant rebuilding and expansion, the air cargo terminal has seen minimal upgrades to its floor area and handling infrastructure,” he said. 

To resolve this crisis, the government must open terminal expansion to private sector participation, injecting the capacity and high-efficiency logistics practices the industry urgently requires to fix this problem long-term, he added. 

Officials of AAI said that while the cab pick-up plaza has already been opened to passengers, the T3 Terminal will be ready in seven months. Officials also said that they have been continuously taking several initiatives to address the issues faced by passengers. As far as adding new retail and food and beverage outlets, officials said measures are underway to bring in a new master concessionaire and bring in more variety. 

The cargo issue has primarily occurred due to the congestion on the GST Road, especially during peak hours, officials said. “Out of the two cargo terminal operators, one is operating way beyond its capacity. But AAI has acquired 19 acres of land, and this will avoid the congestion within the premises,” an official said.

AAI officials also said that they are working with Traffic Police and the State government to resolve the congestion.