Phase 1 of the airport expansion to be completed by 2020
The expansion of Phase 1 of Chennai airport is likely to be completed by 2020, said C.V. Deepak, Officiating Director, Chennai International Airport.
The expansion will pave the way for a new integrated terminal building (T2) to take care of international traffic movement.
Mr Deepak at the 4th edition of Chennaiinfra, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, said, “After the expansion, the demolition of existing terminals will start. By February 2022, we will have an integrated terminal with the capability to handle traffic of 40 million, envisaged for 2032-2035,”
The cabinet committee on Economic affair approved ₹2,467 crore expansion project of the Chennai airport in 2018.
According to Deepak, there is an imminent need for a second airport considering the estimated traffic of 35-40 million.
He says, “For the second airport, it is not only important to look at airport infrastructure, but also the additional infrastructure for the airport, including highway and Metro rail connectivity. These things will play a role in the success of the second airport,”
The existing airport has the capacity to handle traffic of 15 million. However, in the last fiscal year 2019, it touched 22 million, putting a lot of pressure on the existing infrastructure. And, in the coming fiscal it is estimated to cross 22 million.
Further, Mr Deepak assured that in the next 6-8 months, the airport would be able to handle the late-night passenger traffic from the main building itself.
