Chennai: The Phase 2 expansion of Chennai International Airport is moving ahead steadily, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) targeting March 2026 for completion.
A delegation from New Delhi, headed by AAI Chairman Vipin Kumar, inspected the ongoing works this week and is expected to continue the review on Wednesday. The visit focused on assessing progress and emphasizing the need to adhere to the schedule in order to accommodate rising passenger traffic and improve operational efficiency.
The under-construction terminal spans 86,135 square meters and will feature modern passenger amenities. Once completed, it is expected to substantially increase the airport’s capacity. With an estimated cost of Rs 1,207 crore, the expansion includes eight entry gates, 60 check-in counters, 10 X-ray scanners, nine remote boarding gates, and eight aerobridges.
To enhance security and streamline passenger flow, the terminal will also have advanced baggage conveyor systems and automated scanners.
Passenger numbers at Chennai Airport have seen steady growth, from 2.2 crore in 2015 to a projected 3.5 crore by the end of 2025, prompting the AAI to propose the expansion in 2017. The project was later approved by the Central government with financial backing from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The airport’s overall expansion covers 2.36 lakh square meters and is being executed in two phases. Phase 1, covering 1.49 lakh square meters at a cost of Rs 1,260 crore, faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic but was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 April 2023.
Following the commissioning of Phase 1, the old Terminal 3 was demolished to make way for the ongoing Phase 2 construction. Upon completion, Chennai Airport will operate four integrated terminals, T1, T2, T3, and T4, with a combined annual passenger handling capacity of over 3.5 crore.
The revamped layout is designed to accommodate more than 500 aircraft movements per day and ensure smooth connectivity for both domestic and international passengers. Authorities noted that speeding up construction is essential to meet the growing demands of one of the country’s busiest airports.