The airport will get a second entry point for cargo and international flights.
What’s it about? The AAI has asked for 97 acres of land for a new satellite terminal with cargo handling facilities on the north side of Pallavaram-end of the main runway. The new terminal will come up between the two runways outside the airport’s compound. The decision was made to boost passenger handling capacity.
- When the long-pending integrated terminal opens in a month, the airport will handle 35 million passengers. The satellite terminal will handle international flights with the entry and exit from the Tambaram bypass road.
- Currently, the road is used by trucks going along the GST road during the day. With no restrictions on the Tambaram bypass road, traders can bring in and pick up freight round-the-clock.
Who said what? Airport Director Sharad Kumar said they’ve asked the state government for money to connect the Tambaram bypass road with the terminal. He said the goal is to make Chennai airport among the top 3, having lost ground to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. He said Chennai should be regarded as a gateway and well-placed on international routes.