Chennai airport pushed to the sixth spot in passenger traffic

Chennai airport faces challenges in passenger traffic and infrastructure, aiming for modernisation and improved connectivity for growth.

In March, while the Hyderabad airport recorded a commendable rise of 17.3% in passenger traffic, Bengaluru reported 12.7%. But the number of passengers that the Chennai airport handled that month was far less; it recorded a mere 7.2% increase. This has pushed the airport to the sixth position in the passenger traffic, behind Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. While the domestic passenger traffic increased 10.4%, the international passenger traffic dipped 1.7%.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) invested ₹2,467 crore in the modernisation of the Chennai airport. The construction of a new international terminal is under way.

But air passengers and travel industry experts say that connectivity, massive infrastructure upgrade, and better maintenance are the key for the Chennai airport to regain the lost position.

S. Jeyasekaran of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) says the Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports have set a benchmark, with terrific infrastructure and terminals. This is attracting more airlines and new routes, both domestic and international. Sometimes, if New Delhi or Bengaluru has direct connectivity to an international destination, the passenger flies from Chennai to either of the cities and takes the connecting flight. This results in either of these airports getting traffic from the Chennai airport. For instance, to fly from Chennai to San Francisco, one could go to Bengaluru or Mumbai and take a connecting flight. Passengers also have other transit options like Doha or Dubai. Similarly, Bengaluru has a direct flight to Bali and Sydney, but Chennai has none.

“When Mumbai or Bengaluru can have a direct flight to the U.S. or Bali, why can’t Chennai? Private operators are able to add better facilities that airlines and passengers need rather quickly. We are not able to match them,” he says.

Air passengers say privatisation could certainly help the Chennai airport and resolve some of the problems. For instance, the options to eat and shop is phenomenal at a private airport like the one in Mumbai, says Vidyasagar Jagadeesan, a frequent flyer.

“You feel like you are spending time in a mall. Especially during long-haul flights, when people have ample time, they would like to go around, eat at a nice place, and do some window-shopping. At Chennai, these options are limited,” he points out.