The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday reviewed the existing capacity of Chennai airport and the proposed project to build a satellite terminal and its connecting elevated corridor. But the Parandur airport project was not part of the review as it will be discussed at a separate meeting, sources said. This meeting gains significance since the land acquisition for the Parandur airport has been paused.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) had informed the State government that the existing airport in Meenambakkam would be saturated by 2035, and if additional expansion measures, such as the satellite terminal, are implemented, the airport will be able to meet demand until 2045, sources said.
Currently, the AAI-managed Chennai airport has three terminals — T1 domestic terminal, T2 international terminal, and T4 domestic terminal. A fourth, T3 international terminal, is under construction. The T3 terminal has been plagued by severe delays, and what was supposed to be completed a few years ago has still not been completed. The revised date of completion is now December 2026. Meanwhile, the AAI has been planning a satellite terminal for the Chennai airport in the airside, and an elevated corridor will be constructed to connect this building with National Highway 32.
The AAI wanted the State government’s permission to build this elevated corridor. If the Tamil Nadu government agrees to this proposal, then a detailed report on the satellite terminal and its total capacity will be prepared and resubmitted by the AAI, sources said.
The AAI also reiterated their need for land parcels for the Chennai airport, including a small one for a fuel farm. There were also discussions held about land parcels required for other airports, including Tiruchi, Madurai, and Coimbatore, and issues related to access and right of way. “There was some anticipation that there would be discussions about the second airport at Parandur, but unfortunately, it didn’t happen. It will be a huge mistake on State government’s part if they decide to drop it at this point,” a source said.
