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Chennai International Airport

2022-12-21T21:46:12Z

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{{short description|Airport in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{redirect|Chennai Airport|the new airport under construction|Chennai greenfield airport, Parandur}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Chennai International Airport
| nativename = 
| image =
| IATA = '''MAA'''
| ICAO = '''VOMM'''
| type = Public
| owner = [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]]
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served = [[Chennai Metropolitan Area]]
| location = [[Tirusulam]], [[Chennai, Tamil Nadu|Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| opened = {{start date and age|1930|||df=y|p=n|br=n}}
| hub = {{bulleted list
| [[Blue Dart Aviation]]
| [[IndiGo]]
}}
| focus_city = {{bulleted list
| [[Air India]]
| [[Go First]]
| [[SpiceJet]]
}}
| elevation-f = 52
| elevation-m = 16
| metric-elev = yes
| coordinates = {{Coord|12|58|56|N|80|9|49|E|type:airport_region:IN-TN|display=title,inline}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/chennai|Chennai International Airport}}
| pushpin_map = India Chennai#India Tamil Nadu#India#South Asia
| pushpin_label = '''MAA'''/VOMM
| mapframe = yes
| r1-number = 07/25
| r1-length-f = 12,025
| r1-length-m = 3,662
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt]]
| r2-number = 12/30
| r2-length-m = 2,935
| r2-length-f = 9,629
| r2-surface = [[Asphalt]]/Concrete
| metric-rwy = yes
| stat-year = April 2021 - March 2022
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 9,533,301({{increase}} 73.5%)
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 91,602 ({{increase}} 41.8%)
| stat3-header = Cargo tonnage
| stat3-data = 349,964 ({{increase}} 20.6%)
| footnotes = Source [[Airport Authority of India|AAI]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure III - Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex3.pdf|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507151241/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex3.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure II - Aircraft Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex2.pdf|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501224637/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k18annex2.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure IV - Freight Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex4.pdf|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507170733/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex4.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| image2 = Chennai airport view 4.jpeg
| image-width = 300
| image2-width = 300
}}

'''Chennai International Airport''' {{Airport codes|MAA|VOMM}} is an [[international airport]] serving the city of [[Chennai, Tamil Nadu]] and [[Chennai Metropolitan Area|its metropolitan area]]. It is located in [[Tirusulam]], {{cvt|21|km}} southwest of the city centre. Chennai International Airport is the [[List of busiest airports in India by passenger traffic|sixth busiest airport in India]]<ref name="traffic_stats3">{{cite web|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k20Annex4.pdf|title=Traffic News for the month of March 2020: Annexure-IV|work=[[Airports Authority of India]]|date=22 May 2020|access-date=22 May 2020|page=3|archive-date=1 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501224509/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k18annex4.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and third busiest airport for international traffic in India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAI Traffic News May 2023 India |url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/May2k22Annex3.pdf}}</ref> It was also 49th [[List of the busiest airports in Asia#2018 statistics|busiest airport in Asia in 2018]] making it one of the four major airports in India under the top 50 list of 2018.<ref name="UseBySmallATRs">{{cite news|last=Sekar|first=Sunitha|title=Tambaram Air Force base to be used by smaller aircraft soon|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=14 May 2019|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-to-initiate-talks-with-iaf-to-roll-out-plan-at-the-earliest-tambaram-air-force-base-to-be-used-by-smaller-aircraft-soon/article27121297.ece|access-date=20 May 2019|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229232635/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-to-initiate-talks-with-iaf-to-roll-out-plan-at-the-earliest-tambaram-air-force-base-to-be-used-by-smaller-aircraft-soon/article27121297.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> In financial year 2021, the airport handled 9.53 million passengers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure III - Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex3.pdf|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=14 June 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507151241/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex3.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The airport is served by the [[Chennai International Airport metro station|airport metro station]] of the [[Chennai Metro]] and the [[Tirusulam railway station]] of the [[Chennai Suburban Railway|Chennai Suburban Railway system]]. To cope with the passenger traffic, two new terminals, including one satellite terminal, are under construction to handle 40 million passengers per year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/lt-starts-work-on-airport-terminal/article25042773.ece |title=L&T starts work on airport terminal |newspaper=The Hindu |date=26 September 2018 |access-date=12 August 2019 |last1=Sekar |first1=Sunitha |archive-date=10 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210084658/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/lt-starts-work-on-airport-terminal/article25042773.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> Once completed, it will be India's first airport to have a satellite terminal. The new satellite terminal will be connected through a four way underground walkalator for passenger movement across different terminals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/satellite-terminal-between-two-runways-readying-for-take-off/articleshow/69258464.cms |title=Chennai: Satellite terminal between two runways readying for take-off | Chennai News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=10 May 2019 |access-date=12 August 2019 |archive-date=25 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925192940/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/satellite-terminal-between-two-runways-readying-for-take-off/articleshow/69258464.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Still, the Tirusulam airport complex is expected to reach saturation by 2035, with a peak capacity of 40 million passengers, and a proposal for a new [[Chennai greenfield airport, Parandur|greenfield airport]] in [[Parandur]] has been approved. Once the new airport is commissioned, both the airports will be functional.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennais-2nd-airport-may-come-up-on-3500-acres-near-mamandur/articleshow/68312148.cms |title=New Chennai Airport: Chennai's 2nd airport may come up on 3,500 acres near Mamandur | Chennai News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=8 March 2019 |access-date=12 August 2019 |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027165249/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennais-2nd-airport-may-come-up-on-3500-acres-near-mamandur/articleshow/68312148.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

The older domestic and international blocks 2 and 3 were named after former [[Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu]] [[K. Kamaraj]] and [[C. N. Annadurai]], respectively. It was the first airport in India to have international and domestic terminals located adjacent to each other. It was designed by Creative Group, an India-based architecture firm. The airport serves as the southern regional headquarters of the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) for [[South India]] comprising the states of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Kerala]] and the union territories of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]] and [[Lakshadweep]].

==History==
[[File:D'Angelis biplane 1910 designed and built, by G. d'Angelis.jpg|thumb|250px|Giacomo D'Angelis and his biplane in 1910, the first flight ever in Asia]]
[[Image:Meenambakkam airport.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The old terminal (1945) at Meenambakkam]]

===First test flight in Madras===
The aviation history of the city began in 1910, when a city-based [[Corsicans|Corsican]] hotelier [[Giacomo D'Angelis]] built an aircraft and tested it in [[The Island, Chennai|Island Grounds]].<ref name="Hindu_MadrasMiscellany_22Aug2010"/> Inspired by Frenchman, [[Louis Blériot]], the first to fly across [[English Channel]] in July 1909,<ref name="Hindu_MadrasMiscellany_22Aug2010"/><ref name="Hindu_MagnificentMenInMadras">{{cite news
| last = Muthiah | first = S. | title = The magnificent men in Madras | location = Chennai | date = 1 December 2003| url = http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/01/stories/2003120100050300.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040103133744/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/01/stories/2003120100050300.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 3 January 2004 | newspaper = [[The Hindu]] | access-date = 25 December 2012}}</ref> D'Angelis collaborated with Simpson's, a leading coach-builder in the city, to build a [[biplane]].<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/> The biplane was built entirely from D'Angelis's own designs, fitted with a small horse-power engine. Samuel John Green, a motor engineer at Simpson's, helped with the manufacture and assembly of the biplane.<ref name="Hindu_MadrasMiscellany_22Aug2010"/> On 10 March 1910, D'Angelis tested the aircraft in the suburb of [[Pallavaram]], making it the first flight ever in Asia.<ref name="OurMedia_FirstToFlyInAsia">{{cite web | title = Giacomo D'Angelis, first to fly in Asia (Madras 10 March 1910) | publisher = OurMedia | url = https://archive.org/details/GiacomoDangelisFirstToFlyInAsiaMadras10March1910 | access-date = 25 December 2012}}</ref> While demonstrating it to the public during the ticketed show, he even took a person from the crowd on the aircraft as his passenger.<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing">{{cite news | last = Ayyappan | first = V. | title = When Good Old Madras Took Wing | newspaper = The Times of India | location = Chennai | publisher = The Times Group | date = 21 August 2009 | url = http://mobiletoi.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=3&sectid=edid=&edlabel=TOICH&mydateHid=21-08-2009&pubname=Times%20of%20India%20-%20Chennai&edname=&articleid=Ar00300&publabel=TOI | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614041323/http://mobiletoi.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=3&sectid=edid=&edlabel=TOICH&mydateHid=21 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 14 June 2013 | access-date = 25 December 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Immediately, he also arranged a public viewing at the Island Grounds, charging entrance fees for the demonstration.<ref name="Hindu_MadrasMiscellany_22Aug2010">{{cite news | last = Muthiah | first = S. | title = Madras Miscellany | newspaper = The Hindu | location = Chennai | date = 22 August 2010 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/madras-miscellany/article588012.ece | access-date = 25 December 2012 | archive-date = 27 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211027165249/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/Madras-Miscellany/article12572738.ece | url-status = live }}</ref>

The interest in flying among prominent residents of the city resulted in the arrival of a set of aviators in 1911 to display the flying machines they had brought with them to India as a marketing initiative.<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/> The aviators included Baron de Caters and Jules Tyck.<ref name="BharatRakshak_BeginningOfAviation"/> On 15 February 1911, Tyck flew in a [[Blériot Aéronautique|Blériot aeroplane]] in front of the public. The aircraft was wheeled out by eight men with Tyck seated inside the craft wearing an oilskin coat and goggles. The men held the plane till its engine revved up and then let go, and the craft darted forward about 20 yards before rising into the air. In the air, the craft made a straight flight only for about three-quarters of the length of the ground and descended due to poor weather.<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/> Tyck flew again the next day, this time reaching a height of 2,400 feet, which was witnessed by the then [[Governor of Madras]] [[Arthur Lawley, 6th Baron Wenlock|Sir Arthur Lawley]].<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/> Two days later, on 18 February, another demonstration was given by [[Pierre de Caters]], when he flew his aircraft in public.<ref name="BharatRakshak_BeginningOfAviation">{{cite web|last=Bhargava |first=Kapil |title=Beginning of Aviation in India—A peep into its early history |publisher=bharat-rakshak.com |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Aircraft/AviationIndia.pdf |access-date=25 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227142219/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Aircraft/AviationIndia.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref>

===Early commercial aviation history in India===
The history of civil aviation in India began in December 1912, with the opening of the first domestic air route between [[Karachi]] and [[Delhi]] by the Indian state Air services in collaboration with the [[Imperial Airways]], United Kingdom. However, it was just an extension of [[London]]–[[Karachi]] flight of the Imperial Airways. In 1915, the first Indian airline, [[Tata Sons|Tata Air Mail]], started a regular airmail service between Karachi and Madras without any patronage from the government, marking the beginning of air transportation in the southern part of India.<ref name="TCIL_CivilAviation">{{cite web | title = Civil Aviation | publisher = Transport Corporation of India Ltd | url = http://www.tcil.com/ca.asp | access-date = 21 July 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120917145240/http://www.tcil.com/ca.asp | archive-date = 17 September 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

A test flight was conducted at the Island Grounds in 1914, when J. W. Madley, a water works engineer, tested an aircraft assembled by him. He flew it over the [[Red Hills reservoir]] to inspect works and shot a couple of aerial photographs of the reservoir from the aircraft.<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/>

===Madras Flying Club===
{{main|Madras Flying Club}}
In March 1930, a discussion initiated by pilot G. Vlasto led to the founding of [[Madras Flying Club]], which became a pioneer in [[South India]].<ref name="Hindu_MagnificentMenInMadras"/><ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/> The club had 71 founding members, of whom 14 were Indians. Flt Lt H N Hawker became the club's first flight instructor.<ref name="Hindu_MagnificentMenInMadras"/> The club's first Indian chief pilot instructor, Mohammed Ismail Khan, trained several pilots, some of whom were trained professionally or others simply for fun.<ref name="Hindu_MagnificentMenInMadras"/> When the state council of [[Ceylon]] built an aerodrome at [[Ratmalana Airport|Ratmalana]] near [[Colombo]] in 1935, the first flight to land there was flown by chief flying instructor of the club Tyndale Biscoe. On 26 October 1936, [[V. Sundaram|Captain V. Sundaram]], who got the first commercial pilot licence in India, flew a [[de Havilland Dove]] aircraft from Karachi to Madras.<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/>

===First commercial flight===
On 15 October 1932, when [[J. R. D. Tata]], founder of Tata Sons Ltd, flew a single-engined [[de Havilland]] carrying air mail (postal mail of [[Imperial Airways]]) from [[Karachi]]'s Drigh Road Aerodrome to [[Bombay]]'s [[Juhu aerodrome|Juhu Airstrip]] via [[Ahmedabad]], the flight was continued to [[Madras]] via [[Bellary]] piloted by aviator [[Nevill Vintcent]].<ref name="timetableimages.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/il.htm |title=Air-India Ltd. (1) – Tata Air Lines – Tata Sons – Tata Air Services |publisher=Timetableimages.com |access-date=13 September 2012 |archive-date=15 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215053425/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/il.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:ChennaiAirport.jpg|thumb|250px|Aerial view of Chennai International Airport]]

===Military use===

The following units were here at some point with the base being called "St Thomas Mount":
* No. 1 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force (IAF) Volunteer Reserve (1940–42) became No. 101 (Coast Defence) Flight IAF{{sfn|Lake|1999|p=49}}
* No. 101 (Coast Defence) Flight IAF (1942) became No. 101 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron IAF{{sfn|Lake|1999|p=49}}

===Airport terminals===
Madras Airport was one of the first airports of India, commissioned in 1930.<ref name="AirCustomsChennai_History">{{cite web
| title = History of Chennai Airport
| publisher = Office of the Commissioner of Customs
| url = http://www.aircustomschennai.gov.in/history.html
| access-date = 3 December 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120311020121/http://www.aircustomschennai.gov.in/history.html
| archive-date = 11 March 2012
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> The airport was built on land donated by the former governor of [[Madras Presidency]], [[K. Sriramulu Naidu]].<ref name="AirCustomsChennai_History"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ijmsrr.com/downloads/31102014IJMSRR%2025.pdf |title=Administration of Chennai International Airport – A Study |access-date=24 December 2019 |archive-date=9 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209193838/http://ijmsrr.com/downloads/31102014IJMSRR%2025.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the first aircraft landed in Madras Airport in 1930, the usage was confined only to military operations during [[World War II]].<ref name="HISTORICALDATA">{{cite web| title =About Chennai International Airport| publisher =Airports Authority of India| url =http://www.airportsindia.org.in/chennai/aboutus.jsp| access-date =13 January 2012| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120503161205/http://www.airportsindia.org.in/chennai/aboutus.jsp| archive-date =3 May 2012| df =dmy-all}}</ref> In 1952, the Civil Aviation Department took over its operations followed by the AAI in 1972.
[[File:CHENNAI AIRPORT RMM IMG 20171106 154528.jpg|thumb|250px|Chennai Airport in 2017]]

The first passenger [[art deco]]–style [[airport terminal|terminal]] was completed in 1954 on the North East side of [[Meenambakkam]] village, thus being referred to as Meenambakkam Airport. In the early 80s, a new terminal was built at [[Tirusulam]] and passenger operations were shifted. The new domestic terminal (named Kamaraj Terminal 2) was commissioned in 1985 and the international terminal (named Anna Terminal 3) was commissioned in 1989. The old terminal building became known as Terminal 1 until 2013 and is now used as a cargo terminal for [[Blue Dart Aviation]].<ref name="HISTORICALDATA"/>

An air cargo complex was commissioned on 1 February 1978 for processing of import, export, and transshipment cargo, in addition to unaccompanied luggage,<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport"/> which is the second gateway air cargo terminal in the country after the one at [[Kolkata airport|Kolkata Airport]].<ref>{{cite web
|title = Airport Audit, Commercial & Cargo
|publisher = Airports Authority of India
|url = http://www.aai.aero/services/airport_audit_commercial_cargo.jsp
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117022555/http://www.aai.aero/services/airport_audit_commercial_cargo.jsp
|archive-date = 17 January 2013
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> In November 1988, [[British Airways]] inaugurated a link to [[London]], Chennai's first route to Europe. Flights stopped in Kuwait and were operated by Lockheed L-1011s in the beginning.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/british-airways-and-chennai-a-30-year-old-connection/article25638186.ece | title=British Airways and Chennai: a 30-year-old connection | work=The Hindu | date=1 December 2018 | access-date=4 January 2022 | author=Krishnaswamy, Murali N.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=The Madras experience | work=Sunday Telegraph | date=2 October 1988 | pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111602384/sunday-telegraph/ 68], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111602489/sunday-telegraph/ 69]}}</ref> In April 1991, the airline started performing the flight nonstop with Boeing 747 aircraft.<ref>{{cite journal | title=Speech at the inauguration of British Airways non-stop flight between Madras and London on 2nd April 1991 | journal=Addresses of Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh, Governor of Tamil Nadu | year=1993 | volume=1 | pages=97–99}}</ref>

[[File:Chennai Airport ramp view.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ramp view of the airport]]

On 23 September 1999, a centre for flowers, fruits and vegetables was commissioned at the cargo terminal.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport"/> In 2001, Chennai Airport received [[ISO 9000|ISO 9001-2000]] certification, the first such international airport in India. During the early days, Madras Airport was one of the largest airports in India handling many international flight connections.<ref name="Indian Logistics Info">{{cite web
| title = Chennai Airport
| publisher = Indian Logistics Info.com
| url = http://www.indianlogisticsinfo.com/indian_aviation/chennai_airport.html
| access-date = 20 December 2012
| archive-date = 3 November 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103164528/http://www.indianlogisticsinfo.com/indian_aviation/chennai_airport.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name="ISO_HINDU">{{cite news
| title = ISO 9001-2000 for Chennai airport
| newspaper = Business Line
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Hindu
| date = 27 August 2001
| url = http://www.hindu.com/businessline/2001/08/27/stories/142704xs.htm
| access-date = 20 December 2012
| archive-date = 2 December 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121202091043/http://www.hindu.com/businessline/2001/08/27/stories/142704xs.htm
| url-status = dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|title = Certification Awarded to Airports Authority of India
|publisher = AAI
|url = http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/Chennai_ISO.pdf
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130723031010/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/Chennai_ISO.pdf
|archive-date = 23 July 2013
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref>

[[Delta Air Lines]]' maiden flight from [[New York City]] via Paris touched down in May 2005. Boeing 767s operated the service.<ref name="th606">{{cite news | url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/30/stories/2006063016800500.htm | title=Delta to discontinue Chennai flights | work=The Hindu | date=30 June 2006 | accessdate=28 August 2022 | author=Shankar, T. S. | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220151547/http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/30/stories/2006063016800500.htm | archivedate=20 February 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/delta-air-lines-to-start-chennai-ny-direct-service-from-may-2005-104121601083_1.html | title=Delta Air Lines to start Chennai-NY direct service from May 2005 | work=Business Standard | date=16 December 2004 | accessdate=28 August 2022}}</ref> The following November, however, the carrier stopped serving Chennai. Instead of flying to India via Paris, it had decided to commence a direct flight from New York to Mumbai and hand the Chennai–Paris route over to its partner Air France.<ref name="th606" /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/060619/100884.html | title=Delta Air Lines to Become Only Airline to Serve Five Continents Nonstop from New York | work=Delta Air Lines | date=19 June 2006 | accessdate=19 October 2022 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628192736/http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/060619/100884.html | archivedate=28 June 2006}}</ref> In 2008, the AAI started major modernisation of the airport.<ref>{{cite web
|title = Domestic Projects
|publisher = AAI
|url = http://www.aai.aero/services/domestic_projects.jsp
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117021349/http://www.aai.aero/services/domestic_projects.jsp
|archive-date = 17 January 2013
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref>

==Administration==
[[Image:Inside of chennai international airport.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Inside of Chennai International Airport]]
Chennai Airport is the regional headquarters of the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) for the southern region of India comprising the states of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Kerala]] as well as the union territories of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]] and [[Lakshadweep]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Regional Headquarters|publisher=Airports Authority of India|url=http://www.aai.aero/public_notices/aaisite_test/rhq.jsp|access-date=30 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227130723/http://www.aai.aero/public_notices/aaisite_test/rhq.jsp|archive-date=27 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Information About Chennai International Airport|publisher=Airports Authority of India|url=https://chennaiairport.in/about-cia/|access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1573664 | title = Shri. R. Madhavan takes over New Regional Executive Director of AAI | last = | first = | date = 7 June 2019 | website = PIB Chennai | publisher = Government of India, Press Information Bureau | access-date = 28 December 2021 | quote = "Regional Executive Director of the Southern Region of the A.A.I. ... tasked with the responsibility of management, upgradation and development, of all the Airports in the five states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Karnataka, apart from the UT of Pondicherry and Lakshadweep."}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.aai.aero/en/node/4004 | title = Where are the regional headquarters? | last = | first = | date = n.d. | website = Airports Authority of India | publisher = Government of India, Ministry of Aviation | access-date = 28 December 2021 | quote = }}</ref><ref name="SouthRegHQ">{{cite web | url = https://www.aai.aero/en/node/8852 | title = Southern Regional Headquarters | last = | first = | date = n.d. | website = Airports Authority of India | publisher = Government of India, Ministry of Aviation | access-date = 29 December 2021 | quote = }}</ref> It functions from the ATC Complex within the airport and has 49 airports under its control, including 19 operational AAI airports, 5 operational private/joint venture airports, 5 non-operational airports, 12 military airports, and 8 disused airfields. These include 6 international airports, 15 domestic airports, and 3 customs airports.<ref name="AAI_SouthernRegHeadquarters">{{cite web| title =Southern Regional Headquarters| publisher =Airports Authority of India| url =http://www.aai.aero/departments/southern_reg_main.jsp#1| access-date =30 December 2012| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140624171120/http://www.aai.aero/departments/southern_reg_main.jsp#1| archive-date =24 June 2014| df =dmy-all}}</ref>

Chennai Airport is the centre of the southern [[flight information region]] (FIR), one of the four FIRs that the Indian air space is divided into. The regional executive director (RED) is responsible for the air traffic services over the Chennai FIR and airport management on ground at the airports in [[South India]]. The Chennai FIR includes terrestrial air space above the five southern states and two southern union territories and the oceanic air space of the southern part of the [[Bay of Bengal]] and the eastern part of the [[Arabian Sea]]. Coordination with the neighbouring national FIRs of [[Kolkata]] and [[Mumbai]] and with the neighbouring international FIRs of [[Sri Lanka]], [[Kuala Lampur]], and [[Yangon]] for air traffic control purposes are being made with telecommunication links (both voice and data). The immigration services at the airport are handled by the Bureau of Immigration.<ref>{{cite web| title =Foreigners Regional Registration Office, Chennai| publisher =Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, India| url =http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/frro_chennairAdd2.htm| access-date =5 January 2013| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130122092643/http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/frro_chennairAdd2.htm| archive-date =22 January 2013| df =dmy-all}}</ref>

===Security===
Chennai Airport is the home to the southern regional office of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), whose main responsibilities include instituting standards and measures with respect to security of civil flights at international and domestic airports in India.<ref>{{cite web| title = Organization Setup | publisher = Ministry of Civil Aviation | url = https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/en/aboutus/orgsetup | access-date = 29 December 2021}}</ref> Security of the airport is provided by the [[Airport Sector (CISF)]], that includes a dog squad. The dogs are trained to sniff and identify [[IEDs]] and [[narcotics]]. While working with the bomb disposal squad they screen the bags left unattended. As of today, the CISF team in charge of Chennai Airport security has a dog squad of 9 dogs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kannan |first1=Sindhu |title=Two CISF dogs retire, 3 new inducted in Chennai |issue=Chennai News |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/two-cisf-dogs-retire-3-new-inducted-in-chennai/articleshow/85505721.cms |work=The Times of India |agency=TNN |date=21 August 2021 |language=en |access-date=21 August 2021 |archive-date=21 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821084314/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/two-cisf-dogs-retire-3-new-inducted-in-chennai/articleshow/85505721.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Privatisation===
The Government of India has proposed to offer a contract to a private operator to maintain and operate the daily operations of the airport. AAI recently invited bids for the same and various firms including [[Tata Group|Tata]], [[Fraport]], Celebi, [[Sahara India Pariwar|Sahara]], [[GMR Group|GMR]], [[GVK Group|GVK]] and [[Essar Group|Essar]] have shown interest.<ref>{{cite news | title = Nine firms take part in Chennai airport familiarisation trip: AAI | newspaper = Business Standard | location = Chennai | date = 10 October 2013 | url = http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/nine-firms-take-part-in-chennai-airport-familiarisation-trip-aai-113100900801_1.html | access-date = 12 October 2013 | archive-date = 9 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131009201954/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/nine-firms-take-part-in-chennai-airport-familiarisation-trip-aai-113100900801_1.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Chennai, Lucknow airports privatisation: Tata, foreign firms participate in pre-bid meeting | newspaper = Economic Times | publisher = Times Group | date = 22 September 2013 | url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-22/news/42292305_1_all-airports-aai-the-airports-authority | access-date = 12 October 2013 | archive-date = 25 September 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130925165707/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-22/news/42292305_1_all-airports-aai-the-airports-authority | url-status = live }}</ref> The airport employees are protesting against the move fearing job losses.<ref>{{cite news | title = AAI employees stand firm against Chennai airport privatisation | newspaper = The Hindu | location = Chennai | date = 8 October 2013 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-employees-stand-firm-against-airport-privatisation/article5211153.ece | access-date = 12 October 2013 | archive-date = 16 April 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416175317/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-employees-stand-firm-against-airport-privatisation/article5211153.ece | url-status = live }}</ref>

== Facilities ==
===Structure===
Spread over an area 1323 acres,<ref name="DNA_AirportUpgradation">{{cite news
| title = Chennai airport upgradation to be completed by year-end
| newspaper = Daily News & Analysis
| location = New Delhi
| publisher = DNA
| date = 3 June 2011
| url = http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_chennai-airport-upgradation-to-be-completed-by-year-end_1550753
| access-date = 31 January 2012
| archive-date = 17 August 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110817023403/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_chennai-airport-upgradation-to-be-completed-by-year-end_1550753
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Chennai International Airport consists of three terminals: the old terminal at [[Meenambakkam]] (Terminal 1) used for cargo, and the two terminals of the passenger terminal complex at [[Tirusulam]] (Terminals 2 and 3) used for domestic and international passenger operations, respectively.

===Passenger terminals===
Today, the passenger terminal complex consists of the newer domestic and international terminals interconnected by a link building, the older international block which today houses administrative offices and a restaurant.<ref name="AirCustomsChennai_History"/> Although the complex is one continuous structure, it was built incrementally, Anna Terminal (Terminal 3) was added in 1988 to the pre-existing Kamaraj Terminal (Terminal 2).
;Terminals 1 and 2

The first part to be built was the Kamaraj domestic terminal (Terminal 2) which had two [[Jet bridge|aero-bridges]], making it the first airport in India to have aero-bridges at the domestic terminal.<ref name="Indian Logistics Info"/> Later, the Anna international terminal (Terminal 3) was built with three aero-bridges. After the completion of the international terminal, the old terminal (Terminal 1) at Meenambakkam was used exclusively for cargo.

;Terminals 3 and 4
Recently, the international terminal was extended further west by adding a new block which includes three aero-bridges. At present, the new international block (Terminal 4) is used for departures while the older Anna Terminal (Terminal 3) is used for arrivals.

The international and the domestic terminals cover an area of 1.5 km2 and 1.8 km2, respectively. The airport is divided into two circles, with five zones each, for administrative conveniences.<ref>{{cite journal| last =Gill| first =Kuldip Singh| author2 =Sushil Kumar Sharma, Rakesh Katyal and Kaushal Kumar| title =Aedes aegypti survey of Chennai Port/Airport, India| journal =Dengue Bulletin| volume =24| publisher =World Health Organization| date =December 2000| url =http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section10/Section332/Section522_2523.htm| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070630053958/http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section10/Section332/Section522_2523.htm| url-status =dead| archive-date =30 June 2007| access-date =3 January 2012}}</ref> Around 550 acres of the airport premises fall within the [[St. Thomas Mount]] and Pallavaram Cantonment Board's limits. The rest of the area comes under the [[Meenambakkam]] town panchayat's jurisdiction.<ref>{{cite news| last = Madhavan| first = D.| title = Cantonment, AAI in row over airport expansion| newspaper = The Times of India epaper| location = Chennai| publisher = The Times Group| date = 25 July 2011| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?| access-date = 23 January 2012| archive-date = 21 January 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120121225858/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp| url-status = live}}</ref> The Kamaraj domestic terminal covers an area of {{convert|19250|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} with 48 check-in counters. The Anna international terminal covers an area of {{convert|42870|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} with 45 check-in counters, 38 immigration counters including 16 at the departure terminal and 22 at the arrival terminal and 18 customs counter including 2 at the departure terminal and 16 at the arrival terminal.<ref name="AAI_AirportTechnicalInfo"/> There are four entry gates at the airport, two each at both the terminals. There are 5 [[X-ray]] baggage facilities at the domestic terminal and 2 at the international terminal.<ref name="AAI_AirportPassengerInfo">{{cite web|title= Passenger Information |publisher= Airports Authority of India |url = http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/chennai_PASSENGER.jsp |access-date= 5 January 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121230110619/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/chennai_PASSENGER.jsp |archive-date = 30 December 2012 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all}}</ref> The total area of retail space at the existing domestic and international terminals is 3,250 sq m, comprising 60 concessions including duty-free retail shops, restaurants, snack bars and executive lounges.<ref name="RetailSpaceInNewTerminals">{{cite news
| last = Kannan
| first = Swetha
| title = New-look Chennai airport to have nearly 3 times current retail space
| newspaper = Business Line
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Hindu
| date = 9 December 2011
| url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2701673.ece
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 9 January 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120109093930/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2701673.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The Anna international terminal has 6 boarding gates on the first floor. The Kamaraj domestic terminal has a total of 9 boarding gates, including 6 on the ground floor and 3 on the first floor.<ref name="AAI_AirportTechnicalInfo">{{cite web
|title = Technical Information
|publisher = Airports Authority of India
|url = http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/chennai_TECHNICAL.jsp
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121109200718/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/chennai_TECHNICAL.jsp
|archive-date = 9 November 2012
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> The airport has 24 taxiways, including the 411-metre-long taxiway M on the southern side commissioned in March 2017, capable of handling 36 aircraft movements per hour.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = A new taxiway for Chennai airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 3 March 2017
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/a-new-taxiway-for-chennai-airport/article17396912.ece
| access-date = 3 March 2017
| archive-date = 29 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200229012217/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/a-new-taxiway-for-chennai-airport/article17396912.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> In January 2018, the airport began cross-runway operations to avoid flight delays, increasing aircraft movements from 36 to 42 an hour.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = Cross-runway operations begin at city airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 12 January 2018
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/cross-runway-operations-begin-at-city-airport/article22424253.ece
| access-date = 11 February 2018
| archive-date = 13 February 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180213034515/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/cross-runway-operations-begin-at-city-airport/article22424253.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

The airport currently has 70 parking bays, one of which can accommodate the super-jumbo [[Airbus A380]].<ref name="DNA_AirportUpgradation"/> Parking bays at the domestic terminal include one in-contact bay for [[Airbus A300]]-sized aircraft, nine in-contact bays for [[Airbus A320]]/[[Boeing 737]]-sized aircraft, and 49 remote bays for A320/737-sized aircraft. Parking bays at the international terminal include seven in-contact bays for [[Boeing 747]]-sized aircraft, 13 remote bays for 747-sized aircraft, one remote bay for an A380 aircraft, and three cargo bays for 747-sized aircraft.<ref name="AAI_AirportTechnicalInfo"/> Works on the 24 new night parking bays had been completed in the apron area. With the new parking bays, the Chennai Airport has 81 parking bays.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Development fee imminent at Chennai airport: AAI
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 27 May 2011
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2052768.ece
| access-date = 31 January 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110531124212/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2052768.ece
| archive-date = 31 May 2011
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

===Expansion and Modernization Phase I===
The airport was modernised and expanded in 2013, with the construction of a new international terminal (Terminal 4), the renovation of the existing Anna international terminal (Terminal 3), the construction of a new domestic terminal (Terminal 1), the extension of the secondary runway, and the creation of a parallel [[runway]], [[taxiway]]s, [[Airport ramp|aprons]], parking bays and cargo terminal. The new terminals spread across {{convert|72000|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and have 72 passenger check-in counters. However, the plan for the parallel runway has been dropped.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Parallel runway plan in city aborted
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 24 November 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/11/24&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 2 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614041010/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F11%2F24&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

The original plan to build a three-basement-level car parking for about 1,500 vehicles with about 8,000 sq m of commercial area on the open ground opposite the new domestic terminal building has been deferred temporarily. Instead, a surface-level parking to accommodate 400 vehicles has been planned at a cost of {{INR}}44.2 million.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Oppili
| first = P.
| title = Plan for multi-level car parking facility at Chennai airport deferred
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 16 July 2011
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2230918.ece
| access-date = 14 January 2012
| archive-date = 17 July 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717203229/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2230918.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
[[File:Chennai airport front view.jpeg|thumb|Chennai Airport's Anterior View|350px]]
The terminal complex will have a flyover [[travellator]] connecting the existing newer terminals for a distance of about 1 km. It will have an elevated road on the top and a tube below which will have two [[walkalator]]s which will connect the three brand new terminals together. The 600 m long walkalator belt was installed on 14 April 2018 at a cost of {{INR}}260 million.

===Expansion and Modernization Phase II===
[[File:Chennai airport view 1.jpeg|thumb|250px|Check-in area]]
The current development projects include construction of a brand new integrated terminal in place of the older Terminals 2 and 3 which currently lie in between the two newer Terminals 1 and 4. The design is a collaborative effort of team lead involving Frederic Schwartz Architects, Gensler, and led by New Delhi-based Creative Group. Creative Group is the principal architect for the project providing comprehensive architecture and engineering consultancy for the design of the passenger terminal building, parking garage structures and roadway access system. The proposed design, based on Gensler's Terminal 2015 concept, will be connected with the design elements of the existing Terminals 1 and 4. It was earlier reported that the new terminal building will have a handling capacity of 10 million passengers and when integrated with the existing terminals will provide for a handling capacity of 23 million passengers a year. The new terminal building is expected to have an area of about 1,40,000 m2 with 104 check-in counters, 16 [[aerobridge|aero-bridge]] and 60 immigration counters and the two runways would be interconnected by a network of taxiways. The {{INR}}24,760-million expansion programme commenced on 11 July 2018 and will be completed by January 2023.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=aaichnairport |number=1533064555814719488 |title=The Chennai Airport Modernisation Phase II will reflect an array of aesthetic elements taken from the rich cultural repository of Tamil Nadu endowing a refreshing hue to the terminal |access-date=4 June 2022 |date=4 June 2022}}</ref> Once completed, it will serve as the airport's sole integrated terminal alongside the newer Terminals 1 and 4.
;Design
[[File:Nataraja At Chennai International Airport.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Nataraja]] statue at the airport]]
The design details of the runways are handled by the Airports Authority of India, while architecture firms are limited to designing buildings on the land side of the runway. The present proposal is parallel to the existing runway. The entire design as being organised around "two lush sustainable gardens" and the wing-like roofs helps collect rainwater and become part of the garden.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Srivathsan
| first = A.
| author2=P. Oppili
| title = Architects for airport expansion
| location = Chennai
| date = 22 September 2008
| url = http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/22/stories/2008092259881200.htm
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080925034652/http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/22/stories/2008092259881200.htm
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 25 September 2008
| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]
| access-date = 11 January 2012}}</ref>

The domestic terminal building currently measures {{convert|139931|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} and handles 4.74 million passengers a year. The revamped design of the domestic terminal building will accommodate twice as many passengers in a three-storey structure 984 ft long. The new design, based on the organisation of security and passenger circulation, centres around two lush, ecologically sustainable gardens each measuring nearly an acre and includes a parking garage with a green roof over 300 m long and rainwater capture systems collectively known as the "green gate" of the terminal. Expansive glass curtain walls will be incorporated to boost the feeling of airiness and spaciousness, as will skylights.<ref name="ArchRecord_AirportIsGreenest">{{cite news
| last = Mathews
| first = Neelam
| title = Chennai Airport to be India's Greenest
| newspaper = Architectural Record
| date = 28 August 2007
| url = http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/070828chennai.asp
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 16 October 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111016211725/http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/070828chennai.asp
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The new terminal will have three levels. The departure area will be featured on the top level with the arrivals section on ground level. The arrivals section will form the base for airlines and other offices with the basement reserved for luggage scanners. The domestic terminal covers 67,700 sq m and will also have a provision of seven gates, two hard-stand hold rooms and 52 check-in counters, besides eight counters for e-ticketing. The international terminal will cover 59,300 sq m with the provision of two gates with multiple hard-stand hold rooms, 52 check-in counters, eight counters for e-ticketing, 18/10 immigration/Custom counters for handling passenger arrival and 18/4 immigration/Custom counters for outgoing passengers. Both the terminals will be equipped with an in-line [[baggage handling system]] capable of Level 4 security screening system. This system consists of four departure conveyors of a total length of 3,500 m and can handle 1,200 baggages per hour.<ref name="WorldInteriorDesignNetwork">{{cite web| title =Designs unveiled for new terminals at Chennai Airport in India| publisher =World Interior Design Network| date =31 January 2011| url =http://www.worldinteriordesignnetwork.com/news/designs_unveiled_for_new_terminals_at_chennai_airport_in_india_110131/| access-date =1 January 2012| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110908034118/http://www.worldinteriordesignnetwork.com/news/designs_unveiled_for_new_terminals_at_chennai_airport_in_india_110131/| archive-date =8 September 2011| df =dmy-all}}</ref>

The new terminal buildings measure more than {{convert|140000|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}. The new terminal buildings are expected to cater to 14 million more passengers per annum, including 4 million per annum at the international terminals. With the existing terminals handling 9 million, the airport will be able to handle 23 million passengers per annum after the integration<ref name="NewTerminalsByJune_DC"/> with 16 million in domestic and 7 million in the international terminal.<ref name="WorldInteriorDesignNetwork"/> After expansion, the aircraft movements in the airport is likely to increase at the rate of 5 to 7%. By 2020–21, the airport is expected to handle 700 movements a day.<ref name="RetailSpaceInNewTerminals"/> The new terminals are expected to clock between 72 and 75 green points of the total 100 for integrated inhabited assessment. The AAI has divided the building for land-side and air-side operations. The spaces are connected with a central security checkpoint for departure and there is a glass bridge on each side of the building for arriving passengers. On the roadside, the new terminals are connected with an elevated corridor, which will have approach and exit ramps.<ref name="NewTerminalsByJune_DC">{{cite news
| last = Sujatha
| first = S.
| title = New terminals likely by June next year
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| location = Chennai
| date = 23 December 2011
| url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/new-terminals-likely-june-next-year-772
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 11 November 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181111001337/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/new-terminals-likely-june-next-year-772
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The power requirement at the expanded airport is around 110 kV•A – more than three times the current needs.<ref name="BL_LackOfPowerSupply">{{cite news
| last = Kannan
| first = Swetha
| author2 = T. E. Raja Simhan
| title = Chennai airport opening may be delayed due to lack of power supply
| newspaper = Business Line
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Hindu
| date = 19 March 2012
| url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3013016.ece
| access-date = 6 January 2013
| archive-date = 2 July 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120702173705/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3013016.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> A new 11,000 kV sub-station has been built by the [[Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation]] (TANGEDCO) at the airport to serve the terminals, for which the power has been sourced from [[Kadapperi]] near [[Tambaram]].<ref name="Hindu_NewSubStation">{{cite news
| last = Oppili
| first = P.
| title = Sub-station holds key to new domestic terminal inauguration
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 14 March 2012
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article2992098.ece
| access-date = 6 January 2013
| archive-date = 7 July 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120707191152/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article2992098.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The retail space earmarked in the new international and domestic terminals is about 9,000 sq m, nearly thrice as much as the existing one.<ref name="RetailSpaceInNewTerminals"/>
;Accidents and Controversies
In recent years, there were many reported incidents of ceiling collapses and glass door and window breakages due to the poor quality and improper design of work during the recent modernisation of the airport terminals. The first incident happened on 13 May 2013 when 20 panels caved in near the security hold area due to heavy winds, followed by another incident on 11 August when 23 panels behind the check-in counters at the terminal crashed due to heavy condensation. The last reported incident of a ceiling collapse happened in late April 2015, bringing the total number of incidents to an abnormal 45. As on 11 August 2015, the number of incidents have reached 50 which has been a point of discussion in social networking sites.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Chennai Airport false ceiling collapse: airport police file FIR
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 4 October 2013
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-airport-false-ceiling-collapse-airport-police-file-fir/article5197905.ece
| access-date = 12 October 2013
| archive-date = 5 October 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131005174536/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-airport-false-ceiling-collapse-airport-police-file-fir/article5197905.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

===Cargo complex===
The Air Cargo Complex at the Chennai Airport was established in 1978, when all regulatory and facilitating agencies were brought under one roof for faster processing/clearance of international cargo, to cater for air cargo movement in the southern region. At the cargo terminal, AAI functions as ground handling agency for airlines for handling or processing their cargo on ground and acts as custodian on behalf of customs import/export cargo under the customs act of 1962. Spread over an area of 19.5 acres, the complex uses cargo-handling equipments such as elevated transfer vehicle, forklifts, high-mast stackers, and power hydraulic pallet trucks for handling cargo.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport"/> The covered area of the export wing of the complex is 20,595 sq m while that of the import wing is 20,090 sq m.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport_SalientFeatures">{{cite web
| title = Air Cargo Complex, Chennai Airport, Chennai—Salient Features
| publisher = Airports Authority of India
| url = http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_salientfeatures.jsp
| access-date = 5 January 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130801012245/http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_salientfeatures.jsp
| archive-date = 1 August 2013
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> The existing covered area of cargo terminal in occupation of AAI is 37,085 sq m.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport">{{cite web
| title = Air Cargo Complex, Chennai Airport, Chennai
| publisher = Airports Authority of India
| url = http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_overview.jsp
| access-date = 5 January 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130203082635/http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_overview.jsp
| archive-date = 3 February 2013
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> There are three ETV build-up/working stations and 18 manual build-up ETV loading positions at the complex.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport_SalientFeatures"/>

The cargo complex consists of two divisions, namely, the export and the import facilities. The export facility covers an area of 16,366 sq m and the import facility covers 16,500 sq m.<ref>{{cite web
|title = Cargo Information
|publisher = Airports Authority of India
|url = http://www.airportsindia.org.in/chennai/cargo_info.jsp
|access-date = 14 January 2012
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111229145041/http://www.airportsindia.org.in/chennai/cargo_info.jsp
|archive-date = 29 December 2011
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> The complex has an exclusive cargo apron which can accommodate three wide-bodied aircraft with ULD parking area and hydrant-refuelling facility at the bay.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport_SalientFeatures"/> The Customs department has appointed AAI and AI as the custodian at the complex. The import cargo of all the airlines is solely handled by AAI. The export cargo, on the other hand, is handled by AAI in respect of airlines handled by it while those of the rest of the airlines are handled by AI.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;background:#3dcd58; color:white"|'''Export area'''
|-
| Ground floor area || 5,200 sq m
|-
| First floor area (office) || 2,295 sq m
|-
| Truck dock position/area || 14 trucks (865 sq m)
|-
| Examination area || 770 sq m
|-
| Bonded area || 2,270 sq m
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;"|'''Import area'''
|-
| Total area || 20,090 sq m
|}

The available capacity and cargo handled at the terminal are listed below:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="text-align:left;background:#3dcd58; color:white"|'''Area'''
! style="text-align:left;background:#3dcd58; color:white"|'''Annual capacity (Tonnes)'''
! style="text-align:left;background:#3dcd58; color:white"|'''Annual tonnage (Tonnes)'''
|-
| Export General || 265,000 || 160,000
|-
| Import || 277,460 || 130,000
|-
| Total || 542,460 || 290,000
|}

The existing capacity of the air cargo complex is expected to meet the requirement till 2020. Phase III and IV of the new integrated cargo terminal with latest automated storage and retrieval system is under construction, enhancing the area from 35,920 sq m to 54,620 sq m.

The upcoming import cargo storage and processing facility would have a capacity to handle almost 800,000 tonnes of cargo annually from the existing 300,000 tonnes. The new complex will have an area of 58,000 sq m against the current area of 26,000 sq m. The conventional way of warehouse management will be replaced by [[automated storage and retrieval system]] (ASRS) The ASRS would have over 8,000 storage bins and each bin would have a capacity to store 1.3 to 1.5 tonnes of cargo in it. Apart from ASRS, the upcoming facilities would also have multiple temperature-controlled cold storages for perishable cargo,<ref name="MordenisationOfAirCargoComplex">{{cite news
| last = Oppili
| first = P.
| title = 75% of modernisation work over at air cargo complex
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 11 June 2011
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2094162.ece
| access-date = 23 January 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110612223555/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2094162.ece
| archive-date = 12 June 2011
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> with three chambers at 0 to 12 °C covering a total area of 445 sq m.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport_PerishableCargo">{{cite web
| title = Air Cargo Complex, Chennai Airport, Chennai—Perishable Cargo
| publisher = Airports Authority of India
| url = http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_perishablecargo.jsp
| access-date = 5 January 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130801031817/http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_perishablecargo.jsp
| archive-date = 1 August 2013
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> There would be three fully secured strong rooms for storage and processing of high value cargo, such as gems, jewellery, gold and silver, both in export and import together. The new facility would also have dedicated isolated storage locations for handling dangerous and hazardous cargo.<ref name="MordenisationOfAirCargoComplex"/>

In 2009, an integrated cargo complex was planned in the cargo complex of the airport. The complex would be constructed, at a cost of {{INR}}1,450 million, in 15 months. While the ground floor would measure 21,000 sq m, the first floor would be built on 12,100 sq m. The new building would be used exclusively for import activities. Once the civil works were completed, the ASRS would be installed. It would cost {{INR}}750 million.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Oppili
| first = P.
| title = Integrated cargo complex planned
| location = Chennai
| date = 21 January 2009
| url = http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/21/stories/2009012160271000.htm
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090123170248/http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/21/stories/2009012160271000.htm
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 23 January 2009
| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]
| access-date = 11 January 2012}}</ref>

===Air traffic control tower===
Chennai is the home to India's biggest air traffic control (ATC) centre.<ref name="air_traffic_control_centre">{{cite web| title =Air Traffic Needs an Upgrade as Developing Countries Become More Affluent, Fly More: Expert| publisher =Raytheon| date =10 July 2012| url =http://www.raytheon.com/media/fia12/atm/| access-date =26 December 2012| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130104032108/http://www.raytheon.com/media/fia12/atm/| archive-date =4 January 2013| df =dmy-all}}</ref> The ATC tower is located at the Air Traffic Services Complex. There are two [[radars]] in Chennai—the mono-pulse secondary surveillance radar at [[Porur]] and the Chennai Westing House (terminal) radar.<ref name="ChennaiATC_EntireSouthIndianSkies"/> Advance surface movement guidance and control system has been introduced in the ATC tower.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Vayalar Ravi inspects Air Traffic Control Tower at airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 2 October 2011
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2506030.ece
| access-date = 13 January 2012
| archive-date = 5 January 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120105023440/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2506030.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

As a first step towards integrating the entire airspace in the country, the automation system at the ATC in Chennai Airport was commissioned on 1 October 2011. The AAI has invested {{INR}}420 million for the Chennai automation system, which runs on Auto Track 3+, a sophisticated air traffic control automation system supplied and installed by US-based [[Raytheon Technologies]].<ref name="ChennaiATC_EntireSouthIndianSkies"/><ref name="SmartFlightGuidanceSystem">{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Airport on a smart flight guidance system
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 22 July 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/07/22&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00401&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 23 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614025901/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F07%2F22&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00401&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref> A new route radar at Porur has also been installed and the 13-year-old terminal radar at the airport will be replaced. With the automation system in place, all information regarding tower control, approach control, area control and oceanic control would be exchanged electronically in Chennai. It would ensure reliability, thereby enhancing safety of aircraft and passengers.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sujatha
| first = S.
| title = AAI to integrate entire air space
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| location = Chennai
| date = 30 September 2011
| url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/aai-integrate-entire-air-space-633
| access-date = 13 January 2012
| archive-date = 2 October 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111002084523/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/aai-integrate-entire-air-space-633
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last = Sinha
| first = Shishir
| author2 = Ashwini Phadnis
| title = Integrated air space management from Chennai today
| newspaper = Business Line
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Hindu
| date = 21 September 2011
| url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2473697.ece
| access-date = 13 January 2012
| archive-date = 27 September 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927214412/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2473697.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last = Kumaraswami
| first = Sridhar
| title = Chennai ATC to control traffic over 20,000 ft
| newspaper = The Asian Age
| location = Chennai
| publisher = AsianAge.com
| date = 15 September 2011
| url = http://www.asianage.com/india/chennai-atc-control-traffic-over-20000 ft-122
| access-date = 13 January 2012
| archive-date = 18 July 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190718033809/https://www.asianage.com/india/chennai-atc-control-traffic-over-20000%C2%A0ft-122
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

Chennai is among the four flight information centres in the country besides [[Mumbai]], [[Delhi]] and [[Kolkata]], and the Chennai ATC has [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Mangalore|Mangaluru]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]] and [[Bangalore]] under its control. Besides the two radars in Chennai, radar systems in Mangaluru, Bangalore, Bangalore HAL, Shamshabad (Hyderabad), [[Bellary]] and Thiruvananthapuram are included in the new system.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Oppili
| first = P.
| title = Testing of new air traffic control technology begins
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 26 May 2011
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2050300.ece
| access-date = 31 January 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110527160158/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2050300.ece
| archive-date = 27 May 2011
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> With the advanced integrated radar technology, ATC in Chennai now has the entire South Indian region on its radar screens, mainly co-ordinating flight movements above 26,000 to 46,000 ft.<ref name="ChennaiATC_EntireSouthIndianSkies">{{cite news
| last = Janardhanan
| first = Arun
| title = Chennai ATC enjoys the navigation of entire South Indian skies
| newspaper = The Times of India
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 29 September 2011
| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-ATC-enjoys-the-navigation-of-entire-South-Indian-skies/articleshow/10163937.cms
| access-date = 13 January 2012
| archive-date = 25 March 2014
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140325040341/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-ATC-enjoys-the-navigation-of-entire-South-Indian-skies/articleshow/10163937.cms
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

Following the [[Performance-based navigation]] system (PBN) and the air traffic control automation, in 2011, the AAI initiated a pilot project on a [[GNSS augmentation#Ground-based augmentation system|Ground-based augmentation system]] (GBAS), as part of implementing Gagan (Geo Augmented Navigation) in the country. There will be a set of 3–4 GPS satellites, one geo-synchronous satellite, GPS receivers at end of the runways, a ground station and a VHF data broadcast system. When the pilot project starts, Chennai Airport will be the first airport in the country to have the facility.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Soon, satellites to guide planes at airport
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 26 July 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/07/26&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 21 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614025200/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F07%2F26&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

===Runways===
[[File:Flughafen chennai view from st thomas mount.jpg|thumb|Runway 07/25 as seen from Saint Thomas Mount]]
Chennai Airport has two runways—the {{convert|3662|m|ft|abbr=on}} long primary runway No 07/25 (North-east – South-west orientation) and the {{convert|2925|m|ft|abbr=on}} long secondary runway No 12/30 (North-west – South-east orientation). Approach lights include CAT-1 category at runway 07 and CAT-1 type at runway 25 for 510 m. [[Precision Approach Path Indicator]] (PAPI)-type landing aids are available in all the runways.<ref name="AAI_AirportTechnicalInfo"/> Routine maintenance work of the primary runway is carried out twice a week—between 2.30 pm and 4.30 pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays.<ref name="RunwayOverRiverInNov"/>

Chennai Airport does not have rapid exit taxiways that help pilots to vacate a runway without slowing down the aircraft soon after landing. Planes such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8 will have to slow down completely to negotiate sharp turns on the taxiway. In 2011, AAI began work on upgrading the existing taxiways and parking bays at the airport to handle these jumbo planes.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Airport gets ready for jumbo planes
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 11 December 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/12/11&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00500&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614033759/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F12%2F11&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00500&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

The secondary runway, which was initially 2,035 m long, was closed in 2009 to extend it over the [[Adyar River]] by means of a bridge over the watercourse at a cost of {{INR}}4,300 million. Initially, 126.59 acres of land for second runway was handed over to the AAI. In March 2011, by acquiring 136 acres of land from the state government, AAI completed extension of the 2,035 m secondary runway by 1,400 m,<ref>{{cite news
| title = Runway across Adyar ready for day operation
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 20 November 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/11/20&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00404&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614024739/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F11%2F20&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00404&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref> whose commissioning, initially planned to be by November 2011, has been delayed as the approach lighting system has not been installed.<ref name="OnAWingAndAPrayer">{{cite news
| last = Sujatha
| first = S.
| title = On a wing and a prayer
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| location = Chennai
| date = 23 December 2011
| url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/wing-and-prayer-771
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 15 December 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181215172407/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/wing-and-prayer-771
| url-status = live
}}</ref> While the cost of extending the runway was projected to be about {{INR}}2,400 million, that of the bridge is almost {{INR}}2,300 million.<ref name="DNA_AirportUpgradation"/> A bridge has been constructed across the Adyar River to extend the secondary runway by a length of 1,400 m to a total length of 3,445 m, including 835 m on the northern side of the river.<ref name="WorkOnRunwayAcrossAdyarTakesOff">{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Work on runway across Adyar takes off
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 29 January 2009
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2009/01/29&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
| access-date = 11 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 March 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120314044013/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2009%2F01%2F29&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The bridge accommodates the runway and a taxiway, making Chennai Airport the only international airport in India to have a runway across a river.<ref>{{cite news| title =Chennai Airport will be the first to have a runway across the river| newspaper =Projects Info| publisher =ProjectsInfo.com| date =8 August 2011| url =http://www.projectsinfo.in/News.aspx?nId=uQTDGpEk8tjN3o/sOb8LKw| access-date =11 January 2012}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Citation
|title = Across the river
|url = http://www.projectsinfo.in/News.aspx?nId=uQTDGpEk8tjN3o/sOb8LKw
|access-date = 3 December 2011
}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In Mumbai, only an end of the runway is over Mithi River. When the AAI recommissions the secondary runway, Chennai Airport will join the league of airports with a functional runway across a river.<ref name="RunwayOverRiverInNov">{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Runway over river to open in Nov
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 15 October 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/10/15&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00500&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 11 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020207/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F10%2F15&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00500&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

[[File:Runway at Chennai airport (4446062960).jpg|250px|thumb|left|One of the two runways at the airport]]

With a new airport under consideration, the project for a parallel runway has been put on hold and the total land required for the airport expansion reduced from 1,069.99 acres to 800 acres.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Umapathi
| first = S.
| title = உள்நாட்டு முனையம் முதலில் திறப்பு சென்னை விமான நிலையத்தில் பணிகள் தீவிரம்
| newspaper = Dina Malar
| location = Chennai
| language = ta
| date = 4 January 2012
| url = http://www.dinamalar.com/district_detail.asp?id=379352
| access-date = 7 January 2012
| archive-date = 16 April 2014
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416184017/http://www.dinamalar.com/district_detail.asp?id=379352
| url-status = live
}}</ref> AAI planned to operate 2,400 m even after removing obstructions. About 2,085 m of the runway was earlier used for landing only smaller aircraft, like ATR types.<ref name="AirportCriesForSecondRunway">{{cite news
| title = Airport cries for second runway
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| publisher = Flash News Today
| date = 4 October 2011
| url = http://flashnewstoday.com/index.php/airport-cries-for-second-runway/
| access-date = 11 January 2012
| archive-date = 15 December 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181215123207/http://flashnewstoday.com/index.php/airport-cries-for-second-runway/
| url-status = live
}}</ref> In February 2012, airport authorities announced that only about 2,160 m of the secondary runway would be operational as there will be 330 m permanent displacement at GST road side and 780 m displacement at the other end. This restricted length would be enough to operate Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft without load penalty.<ref name="DC_SecondRunwayInTheOffing">{{cite news
| title = Chennai airport: Second runway in the offing
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| date = 11 February 2012
| url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/chennai-airport-second-runway-offing-985
| access-date = 11 February 2012
| archive-date = 12 February 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120212160542/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/chennai-airport-second-runway-offing-985
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Bad planning by the airport authorities, which has resulted in the removal of the very-high-frequency omni range equipment (VOR) from its original location where a link way has been constructed between the main and the secondary runways, has been considered the reason behind the delay.<ref name="IBNLIve_RunwayRunIntoHassles">{{cite news
| title = Secondary runway run into hassles
| newspaper = IBN Live
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Express News Service
| date = 13 March 2012
| url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/secondary-runway-run-into-hassles/238298-60-120.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416184604/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/secondary-runway-run-into-hassles/238298-60-120.html
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 16 April 2014
| access-date = 6 January 2013}}</ref>

The present runway occupancy time at the airport (the time an aircraft spends on the runway) is around 70 seconds. By October 2018, the runway occupancy time will be reduced to 60 seconds, with the completion of the ongoing runway development works.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Main runway to be shut for six hours a day till October
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| page = 3
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 27 August 2018
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/main-runway-to-be-shut-for-six-hours-a-day-till-october/article24787533.ece
| access-date = 2 September 2018
| archive-date = 7 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200207105131/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/main-runway-to-be-shut-for-six-hours-a-day-till-october/article24787533.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

In 2018, the airport acquired 151 acres for expansion works from neighbouring areas including Kolappakkam, Manappakkam, [[St. Thomas Mount]] and [[Cowl Bazaar]]. Expansion works includes installation of simple approach lighting systems for secondary runway, construction of hangars and parallel taxi track for the airport, fuel farm, installation of CAT 1 approach lighting system for the main runway, and a wide-aperture localiser antenna.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sunitha
| first = Sekar
| title = AAI to acquire 151 acres for Chennai airport expansion
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| page = 3
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 24 January 2018
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-to-acquire-151-acres-for-chennai-airport-expansion/article22501654.ece
| access-date = 20 October 2018
| archive-date = 10 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200210005242/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-to-acquire-151-acres-for-chennai-airport-expansion/article22501654.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

===Passenger vehicle parking===

As of 2018, the existing parking lot at the airport can accommodate 1,200 cars.<ref name="Hindu_MultilevelCarPark"/> In June 2018, an {{INR}}2,500-million multi-level car park with a capacity to accommodate 2,237 cars was planned at both ends of the [[Chennai International Airport metro station|Airport Metro Rail station]] in front of the airport on a 4.25-acre plot.<ref name="MultiLevelParking"/><ref name="Hindu_MultilevelCarPark"/><ref>{{cite news
| last = Simhan
| first = T. E. Raja
| title = 50 companies evince interest in new multilevel car park at Chennai airport
| newspaper = The Hindu Business Line
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 3 January 2018
| url = https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/50-companies-evince-interest-in-new-multilevel-car-park-at-chennai-airport/article10010238.ece
| access-date = 17 October 2018
| archive-date = 12 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200212163340/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/50-companies-evince-interest-in-new-multilevel-car-park-at-chennai-airport/article10010238.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> It will have a built-up area of one million square feet and will be 27 metres tall with six levels. In addition, a 250,000-square-feet mall will be built by the Olympia Group and [[Larsen & Toubro]] in 18 months.<ref name="Hindu_MultilevelCarPark">{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = Multi-level car park to be built at Chennai airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| page = 3
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 15 June 2018
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/multi-level-car-park-to-be-built-at-chennai-airport/article24167331.ece
| access-date = 17 October 2018
| archive-date = 15 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200215061851/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/multi-level-car-park-to-be-built-at-chennai-airport/article24167331.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The mall will have a 238,100-square-feet cinema multiplex and a 35,678-square-feet 59-key transit hotel facility.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Shivakumar
| first = C.
| title = Airport to house multiplex with multi-level car parking
| newspaper = The Indian Express
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Express Publications
| date = 7 September 2018
| url = http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/sep/07/airport-to-house-multiplex-with-multi-level-car-parking-1868685.html
| access-date = 17 October 2018
| archive-date = 17 October 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181017123905/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/sep/07/airport-to-house-multiplex-with-multi-level-car-parking-1868685.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The parking facility will be connected to the travelator linking the international and domestic terminals. Construction began in March 2019 and was completed in December 2021 after several delays due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]] impact.<ref name="MultiLevelParking">{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = Multi-level parking facility soon at airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| page = 2
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 13 March 2019
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/multi-level-parking-facility-soon-at-airport/article26515854.ece
| access-date = 1 May 2019
| archive-date = 28 January 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200128081156/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/multi-level-parking-facility-soon-at-airport/article26515854.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name="MultiLevelParking2">{{cite news
| title = Take off delayed for multi-level parking lot at Chennai airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 11 December 2021
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/take-off-delayed-for-multi-level-parking-lot-at-chennai-airport/article37934924.ece
}}</ref> It is expected to open in July 2022 after going through a trial run.<ref name="MultiLevelParking3">{{cite news
| title = Opening of Chennai airport's parking lot put off yet again
| newspaper = The Hindu
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| author = Sunitha Sekar
| date = 29 May 2022
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/opening-of-chennai-airports-parking-lot-put-off-yet-again/article65473057.ece
}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations==
Domestic flights operate from Terminal 1, international departures operate from Terminal 4, while the older Terminal 3 is used for international arrivals. The old terminal at Meenambakkam is used for cargo operations.

===Passenger===

{{Airport-dest-list

|{{nowrap|[[Air Arabia]]}}| [[Sharjah International Airport|Sharjah]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airarabia.com/en/destinations|title=Destinations|publisher=[[Air Arabia]]|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[Air Arabia Abu Dhabi]]}} | [[Abu Dhabi International Airport|Abu Dhabi]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://press.airarabia.com/air-arabia-abu-dhabi-starts-new-route-to-chennai/|title=Air Arabia Abu Dhabi starts new route to Chennai|publisher=[[Air Arabia]]|access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[AirAsia]]}}| [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bodell |first1=Luke |title=AirAsia Signals Return Of India To Malaysia & Thailand Flights |url=https://simpleflying.com/airasia-india-to-thailand-malaysia-flights/ |website=Simple Flying |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[AirAsia India]]}}| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|Guwahati]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/Air%20Asia_DSS2022.pdf&main4201/4200/servicename}}</ref> [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]

|[[Air Austral]]|[[Roland Garros Airport|Saint-Denis de la Réunion]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wowidays.in/news/4120/Air-Austral-to-resume-Reunion-Island-Chennai-flights-on-May-6|title= Air Austral to resume Reunion Island-Chennai Flights From May 6 2022}}</ref>

|[[Air France]]| [[Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris–Charles de Gaulle]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airfrance.in/IN/en/common/page_flottante/information/programme-ete-air-france.htm|title=Air France schedule|website=Air France|publisher=Air France-KLM|location=Paris|access-date=6 December 2021}}</ref>

|[[Air India]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Coimbatore International Airport|Coimbatore]], [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai–International]], [[Dabolim Airport|Goa–Dabolim]], [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Cochin International Airport|Kochi]], [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]], [[Kuwait International Airport|Kuwait City]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/Air%20India_DSS2022.pdf&main4201/4200/servicename|title=Air India Schedule.|access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref> [[Madurai Airport|Madurai]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]], [[Veer Savarkar International Airport|Port Blair]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airindia.in/Singapore-VTL-Flights-Alert.htm|title=Vaccinated Travel Lane Flights|website=Air India|publisher=Tata Group}}</ref>

|[[Air India Express]]| [[Sharjah International Airport|Sharjah]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/Air%20India_DSS2022.pdf&main4201/4200/servicename|title=Air India Schedule.|access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref> [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/Air%20India_DSS2022.pdf&main4201/4200/servicename|title=Air India Schedule.|access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref>

|[[Akasa Air]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Akasa Air starts its flight operations from Chennai, to connect Bengaluru and Mumbai|url=https://zeenews.india.com/aviation/akasa-air-starts-its-flight-operations-from-chennai-to-connect-bengaluru-and-mumbai-2508307.html/amp|work=Zee News|date=10 September 2022|access-date=10 September 2022|language=en}}</ref> [[Cochin International Airport|Kochi]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Akasa Air Flight Network|url=https://www.akasaair.com/fly-with-akasa/flight-schedule|website=Akasa Air|access-date=9 September 2022}}</ref> [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Akasa Air to launch daily flights on Chennai-Mumbai route from September 15|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/business/india-business/akasa-air-to-launch-daily-flights-on-chennai-mumbai-route-from-september-15/amp_articleshow/93305687.cms|work=The Times of India|date=2 August 2022|access-date=3 August 2022|language=en}}</ref>

|[[Alliance Air (India)|Alliance Air]]| [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://allianceair.in/schedule | title=Alliance Air }}</ref> [[Jaffna International Airport|Jaffna]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ArenaJet/status/1600514380067749888|title=Alliance Air resumes service between Chennai and Jaffna|access-date=7 December 2022}}</ref> [[Mysore Airport|Mysore]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chennai/new-flights-on-chennai-mysore-route-launched/amp_articleshow/93532662.cms|work=Times of India|access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref>

|[[British Airways]] | [[Heathrow Airport|London–Heathrow]]<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2021/09/02/british-airways-resumes-flights-between-chennai-and-london/| title=British Airways resumes flights between Chennai and London|magazine=Business Traveller India|location=Mumbai|publisher=Panacea Publishing Pte Ltd| date=2 September 2021}}</ref>

|[[Cathay Pacific]]| [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]]

|[[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]]| [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai–International]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/destinations/flights-to-chennai.aspx?i=1669564&n=chennai&c=MAA&ai=1669565&ci=1669562&ac=MAA&t=city|title=Flights to chennai (MAA)|publisher=The Emirates Group|location=Dubai}}</ref>

|[[Ethiopian Airlines]]| [[Addis Ababa Bole International Airport|Addis Ababa]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Phadnis |first1=Aneesh |title=Ethiopian Airlines to boost India flights, eyes higher traffic from BRICS |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/ethiopian-airlines-to-boost-india-flights-eyes-higher-traffic-from-brics-122042900245_1.html |access-date=2 May 2022 |newspaper=Business Standard|location=New Delhi|publisher=aBP Group|date=29 April 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[Etihad Airways]]}} | [[Abu Dhabi International Airport|Abu Dhabi]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.india.com/travel/articles/international-flights-latest-news-today-6-august-2021-etihad-airways-announces-flight-schedule-from-chennai-kochi-bengaluru-trivandrum-new-delhi-to-start-operation-from-tomorrow-air-travel-latest-4870201| title=Etihad Airways Announces Services From 5 Indian Cities| date=7 August 2021}}</ref>

| [[flydubai]] | [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai–International]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Flydubai Resumption of Flights|url=https://www.flydubai.com/en/plan/covid-19/resumption-of-flights|access-date=1 December 2021|publisher=Flydubai|location=Dubai}}</ref>

|[[Go First (airline)|Go First]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Budget airline GoAir rebrands as Go First|url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/budget-airline-goair-rebrands-as-go-first/article34552775.ece|access-date=16 May 2021|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516134529/https://www.thehindu.com/business/budget-airline-goair-rebrands-as-go-first/article34552775.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>| [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]], [[Veer Savarkar International Airport|Port Blair]]

|{{nowrap|[[Gulf Air]]}}| [[Bahrain International Airport|Bahrain]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gulfair.com/flights/flights-timetable|title=Gulf Air schedule|access-date=26 March 2022}}</ref>

|[[IndiGo]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goindigo.in/information/route-map.html|title=Indigo schedule}}</ref>| [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport|Ahmedabad]], [[Bagdogra Airport|Bagdogra]],<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.goindigo.in/information/new-flights.html|title=New Flights Information, Status & Schedule | IndiGo|website=www.goindigo.in|access-date=16 May 2018|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331083931/https://www.goindigo.in/information/new-flights.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Biju Patnaik Airport|Bhubaneswar]], [[Chandigarh Airport|Chandigarh]], [[Coimbatore International Airport|Coimbatore]], [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport|Dhaka]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ChennaiFlights/status/1571185077127901184}}</ref> [[Hamad International Airport|Doha]], [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai–International]], [[Dabolim Airport|Goa–Dabolim]], [[Mopa Airport|Goa–Mopa]] (begins 5 January 2023),<ref>{{cite news|title=IndiGo’s largest ever new station launch at New Goa International Airport|url=https://www.goindigo.in/press-releases/indigo-largest-ever-new-station-launch-at-new-goa-international-airport.html|work=IndiGo|date=9 December 2022|access-date=10 December 2022|language=en}}</ref> [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|Guwahati]], [[Hubli Airport|Hubli]], [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport|Indore]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/Indigo__DWS2022.pdf&main4201/4200/servicename}}</ref> [[Jaipur International Airport|Jaipur]], [[Jodhpur Airport|Jodhpur]], [[Kadapa Airport|Kadapa]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/amp/andhra-pradesh/indigo-to-start-flight-services-from-kadapa-to-vijayawada-and-chennai-from-march-27-727323|title=Indigo to start flight services from Kadapa to Vijayawada and Chennai from March 27|access-date=23 February 2022}}</ref> [[Kannur International Airport|Kannur]], [[Cochin International Airport|Kochi]], [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]], [[Calicut International Airport|Kozhikode]], [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]], [[Kurnool Airport|Kurnool]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/indigo-flights-from-kurnool-to-begin-on-march-28/article33702271.ece|title=IndiGo flights from Kurnool to begin on March 28|work=The Hindu|date=30 January 2021|access-date=30 January 2021|last1=Susarla|first1=Ramesh|archive-date=30 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130075338/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/indigo-flights-from-kurnool-to-begin-on-march-28/article33702271.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport|Lucknow]], [[Madurai Airport|Madurai]], [[Mangalore International Airport|Mangaluru]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]],<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=https://www.goindigo.in/information/new-flights.html|title=New Flight Status And Schedule-Indigo|access-date=23 March 2021|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331083931/https://www.goindigo.in/information/new-flights.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport|Nagpur]], [[Jay Prakash Narayan Airport|Patna]], [[Veer Savarkar International Airport|Port Blair]], [[Pune Airport|Pune]], [[Raipur Airport|Raipur]],<ref name=autogenerated1 /> [[Rajahmundry Airport|Rajahmundry]], [[Birsa Munda Airport|Ranchi]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jagran.com/jharkhand/ranchi-birsa-munda-airport-news-air-services-starting-from-ranchi-to-chennai-from-18-november-21065493.html|title=Jharkhand: हवाई यात्रियों को एक और तोहफा, रांची से चेन्नई के लिए 18 से शुरू हो रही विमान सेवा|website=Dainik Jagran|access-date=6 January 2021|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204135618/https://www.jagran.com/jharkhand/ranchi-birsa-munda-airport-news-air-services-starting-from-ranchi-to-chennai-from-18-november-21065493.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> [[Shirdi Airport|Shirdi]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]], [[Surat Airport|Surat]], [[Thiruvananthapuram International Airport|Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Tiruchirappalli International Airport|Tiruchirappalli]], [[Tuticorin Airport|Tuticorin]], [[Vadodara Airport|Vadodara]],<ref name="auto"/> [[Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport|Varanasi]], [[Vijayawada Airport|Vijayawada]], [[Visakhapatnam Airport|Visakhapatnam]]

|{{nowrap|[[Jazeera Airways]]}}| [[Kuwait International Airport|Kuwait City]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jazeeraairways.com/en-in/plan/getting-to-the-airport/flight-schedules|title=Jazeera Airways Flight Schedule|publisher=[[Jazeera Airways]]|access-date=14 March 2022}}</ref>

|[[Kuwait Airways]] | [[Kuwait International Airport|Kuwait City]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jazeeraairways.com/en-kw/flights|title=Destinations|publisher=[[Kuwait Airways]]|access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref>

|[[Lufthansa]] | [[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]]<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Lufthansa India|user=Lufthansa_India|number=1506535101756162048|title=Chennai-Frankfurt flights are back,beginning thrice-weekly effective 29th April 2022.|date=23 March 2022|access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref>

|[[Malaysia Airlines]]| [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Karp |first1=Aaron |title=Malaysia Airlines Reboots International Network |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/297780/malaysia-airlines-reboots-international-network/ |website=Routesonline |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref>

|[[Oman Air]]| [[Muscat International Airport|Muscat]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.omanair.com/gbl/en/TravelAdvice/flight-resumption-updates|title=Flight Resumption from Muscat|publisher=[[Oman Air]]|access-date=6 December 2021}}</ref>

|[[Qatar Airways]]| [[Hamad International Airport|Doha]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airlineroutemaps.com/maps/Qatar_Airways/Asia_Australia|title=Qatar Airways Route Map|access-date=7 December 2021}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[Singapore Airlines]]}}|[[Changi Airport|Singapore]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/singapore-airlines-to-redeploy-airbus-a380-superjumbo-to-india-from-january-351467| title=Singapore Airlines to redeploy Airbus A380 Superjumbo to India from January| work=The Tribune| date=17 December 2021}}</ref>

|[[SpiceJet]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]],<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://www.spicejet.com/Schedules.aspx|title=SpiceJet's Flights Schedule and Information for domestic and international flights.|access-date=7 March 2021|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910164702/https://www.spicejet.com/Schedules.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]] (resumes 23 December 2022),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221205-sgdec22intl|title=SPICEJET RESUMES CHENNAI – BANGKOK SERVICE IN LATE-DEC 2022|work=Aeroroutes|accessdate=5 December 2022}}</ref> [[Bandaranaike International Airport|Colombo–Bandaranaike]], [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport|Durgapur]], [[Dabolim Airport|Goa–Dabolim]], [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|Guwahati]], [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]], [[Veer Savarkar International Airport|Port Blair]], [[Pune Airport|Pune]], [[Shirdi Airport|Shirdi]], [[Visakhapatnam Airport|Visakhapatnam]]

|[[SriLankan Airlines]]| [[Bandaranaike International Airport|Colombo–Bandaranaike]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/plan-and-book/flight-routes|title=Route Map|publisher=[[SriLankan Airlines]]|access-date=2 February 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[Thai AirAsia]]}}| [[Don Mueang International Airport|Bangkok–Don Mueang]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsroom.airasia.com/news/airasia-resuming-flights-to-7-countries-on-18-routes-this-april-fly-easy-with-no-quarantine-needed|title=AirAsia Resumes Flights to Seven Countries on 18 Routes this April! Fly Easy with No Quarantine|access-date=26 March 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[Thai Airways International]]}}| [[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2197755/thai-airways-to-resume-international-services |title=Thai Airways to resume international services|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[US-Bangla Airlines]]}}| [[Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport|Dhaka]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/nrb/departure-arrival/airlines-more/news/us-bangla-increase-flights-dhaka-chennai-dhaka-male-routes-2978381|title=US-Bangla to increase flights on Dhaka-Chennai, Dhaka-Male routes|date=8 March 2022 }}</ref>

|[[Vistara]]| [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]

}}

===Cargo===
{{Airport-dest-list
|[[Blue Dart Aviation]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/bz-bda/routes|title=Blue Dart flights from Chennai|access-date=27 October 2021|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027165250/https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/bz-bda/routes|url-status=live}}</ref>

|[[Cathay Pacific Cargo]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/cx-cpa/routes|title=CX flights from MAA|access-date=27 October 2021|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027165317/https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/cx-cpa/routes|url-status=live}}</ref>

|[[Ethiopian Airlines|Ethiopian Airlines Cargo]]|[[Addis Ababa Bole International Airport|Addis Ababa]], [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]]

|[[Etihad Cargo]]|[[Abu Dhabi International Airport|Abu Dhabi]], [[Shanghai Pudong International Airport|Shanghai–Pudong]]<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://aviationsourcenews.com/airline/etihad-cargo-expands-operations-in-china-and-india-with-shanghai-chennai-direct/}}</ref>

|[[Hong Kong Airlines]]|[[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]], [[Bandaranaike International Airport|Colombo–Bandaranaike]]

|[[Lufthansa Cargo]]|[[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]]

|[[MASkargo]]|[[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]]

|[[National Airlines (N8)|National Airlines]]|[[Chicago Rockford International Airport|Chicago/Rockford]], [[Munich Airport|Munich]]

|[[Qatar Airways Cargo]]|[[Hamad International Airport|Doha]]

|[[SF Airlines]]|[[Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport|Shenzhen]]

|[[Sichuan Airlines]]|[[Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport|Chengdu–Shuangliu]], [[Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport|Chongqing]]

|[[Singapore Airlines Cargo]]|[[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/sq-sia/routes|title= SQC flights from MAA|access-date=28 October 2021}}</ref>

|[[SpiceJet|SpiceXpress]]|[[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/gmr-hyderabad-international-airport-adds-new-domestic-freighter-service/|title=GMR Hyderabad International Airport adds new domestic freighter service|access-date=28 January 2020}}</ref> [[Changi Airport|Singapore]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Spicejet introduces scheduled freighter services to Singapore |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2021/02/25/spicejet-introduces-scheduled-freighter-services-to-singapore/ |website=Business Traveller |publisher=Business Traveller India |date=25 February 2021 |access-date=27 February 2021 |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521165253/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2021/02/25/spicejet-introduces-scheduled-freighter-services-to-singapore/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Surat Airport|Surat]], [[Visakhapatnam Airport|Visakhapatnam]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Spicejet introduces dedicated freighter services from Chennai & Vizag to Surat & Kolkata/Durgapur from 26th Feb 2020 |url=https://twitter.com/flyspicejet/status/1230837819469221888 |access-date=21 February 2020 |date=21 February 2020 |language=en |archive-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221125905/https://twitter.com/flyspicejet/status/1230837819469221888 |url-status=live }}</ref>

|[[YTO Cargo Airlines]]|[[Kunming Changshui International Airport|Kunming]]

|[[Turkish Cargo]]|[[Bandaranaike International Airport|Colombo–Bandaranaike]], [[Al Maktoum International Airport|Dubai–Al Maktoum]], [[Istanbul Airport|Istanbul]]}}


==Statistics==
{{Airport-Statistics|iata=MAA}}

==Fixed-base operators==
===Flight kitchen and caterers===
TajSATS, a joint-venture of the [[Indian Hotels Company]] and [[Singapore Airport Terminal Services|SATS]] (formerly known as Singapore Airport Terminal Services) provides in-flight catering at Chennai Airport. TajSATS adheres to ISO 22000:2005 standards and achieved Halal Certification. It also manages airport lounges in Chennai and Mumbai airports.<ref name="TajSATS_CompanyProfile"/> The airline lounges at Chennai Airport include Maharaja Lounge at the international terminal and the Indian Airlines Lounge at the domestic terminal.<ref name="TajSATS_AirlineLounges">{{cite web
|title = Airline Lounges
|publisher = TajSATS Air Catering
|url = http://www.tajsats.com/srv_services_lounges.htm
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131207203238/http://tajsats.com/srv_services_lounges.htm
|archive-date = 7 December 2013
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> The Taj Madras Flight Kitchen, a joint-venture of the Indian Hotels, SATS and [[Malaysia Airlines]] started in 1994,<ref>{{cite news
| title = Indian Hotels Company Ltd.—Company History
| newspaper = The Economic Times
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = n.d.
| url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/indian-hotels-company-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-13586.cms
| access-date = 5 January 2013
| archive-date = 10 May 2014
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140510060834/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/indian-hotels-company-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-13586.cms
| url-status = live
}}</ref> is situated at [[Grand Southern Trunk Road|GST Road]], [[Pallavaram]], and operates airport restaurants at the airport.<ref name="TajSATS_CompanyProfile">{{cite web
|title = Company Profile
|publisher = TajSATS Air Catering
|url = http://www.tajsats.com/abt_profile.htm
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120322022828/http://www.tajsats.com/abt_profile.htm
|archive-date = 22 March 2012
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> The Taj Madras Flight Kitchen also has a multi-cuisine restaurant with a full-fledged bar named 'Flights of Fancy' at the airport serving snacks and refreshments.<ref name="TajSATS_AirportRestaurant">{{cite web
|title = Airport Restaurant
|publisher = TajSATS Air Catering
|url = http://www.tajsats.com/srv_services_restaurant.htm
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140106185307/http://www.tajsats.com/srv_services_restaurant.htm
|archive-date = 6 January 2014
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref>

===MRO hangar facility===
In 2008, [[Kingfisher Red|Simplifly Deccan]] opened a US$2.9 million maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hangar at Chennai International Airport. The 70,000 sq ft facility can handle one A320 or two ATR aircraft and provides basic- and medium-level maintenance checks and protective storage for Deccan and [[Kingfisher Airlines]] aircraft and functions as a repair shop and assembly area. The hangar, which took nearly two years to build, has a total construction area of 3,200 sq m. The maintenance hall spans 46 m wide, 54 m deep and 17 m high. The hangar has space for one Airbus A320 and 2 ATR aircraft at one time. It is equipped with an engineering and training facility and an engineering maintenance conference room.<ref>{{cite news|title = Deccan opens MRO hangar at Chennai Airport|newspaper = India Aviation|publisher = Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation|date = 22 January 2008|url = http://indiaaviation.aero/news/airline/6900/59/Deccan-opens-MRO-hangar-at-Chennai-Airport|access-date = 7 January 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231815/http://indiaaviation.aero/news/airline/6900/59/Deccan-opens-MRO-hangar-at-Chennai-Airport|archive-date = 25 April 2012|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

===Duty-free shops===
The airport houses many duty-free shops and restaurants in its lobby. The authority is planning to open more shops in the premises. It is said that around 18,500 sq ft of space is available for shops. Recently, Flemingo International, Dubai was given the contract to open duty-free shops in both the International and Domestic terminals.<ref name="Duty-free shops">{{cite news
| title = Flemingo to run duty-free shops at nine airports
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 22 January 2016
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/business/flemingo-to-run-dutyfree-shops-at-nine-airports/article8137857.ece
| access-date = 8 February 2016
| archive-date = 27 October 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211027165253/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/business/Flemingo-to-run-duty-free-shops-at-nine-airports/article14013008.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name="Airportshops">{{cite news
| title = Airports Authority of India wants modern stalls at terminals, companies not keen
| location = Chennai
| date = 9 October 2012
| url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-09/chennai/34342172_1_duty-free-shops-duty-free-outlets-aai
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130127232318/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-09/chennai/34342172_1_duty-free-shops-duty-free-outlets-aai
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 27 January 2013
| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
| access-date = 26 December 2012}}</ref>

==Connectivity==
[[File:Chennai metro map.png|thumb|Layout of the [[Chennai Metro]]]]
The airport is situated on the [[Grand Southern Trunk Road]] (National Highway 32), a major national highway connecting several cities within the state. The airport is served by [[Tirusulam (Chennai Suburban Railway)|Tirusulam railway station]] on the [[Chennai suburban railway|Suburban railway network]]. Airport prepaid taxis are available round the clock, with moderate fares fixed by the government. The [[Chennai International Airport metro station|airport metro station]] of the [[Chennai Metro]] connects the airport to other parts of the city, making it the second airport in India to be connected to a metro system.<ref name="Hindu_WorkOnStationBegin">{{cite news | last = Sridhar | first = Asha | title = Work on airport metro station to begin soon | newspaper = The Hindu | location = Chennai | date = 24 May 2012 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3449812.ece | access-date = 9 November 2012 | archive-date = 28 July 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120728033617/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3449812.ece | url-status = live }}</ref> Shuttle services between the metro station and the terminals are provided for the passengers.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-Battery-cars-to-shuttle-between-metro-airport/articleshow/54635390.cms |title=Chennai: Battery cars to shuttle between metro, airport |work=The Times of India |date=2 October 2016 |access-date=14 October 2016 |archive-date=5 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005092102/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-Battery-cars-to-shuttle-between-metro-airport/articleshow/54635390.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> In future, the concourse of the metro station will be linked to the passenger terminals by means of a connector tube connecting the metro station to the flyover at the terminals, so that passengers alighting from the train can go to the departure area of the airport terminals without coming out of the station building.<ref>{{cite news | last = Ayyappan | first = V. | title = AAI and CMRL firmed up to build the airport metro station | location = Chennai | date = 9 March 2012| url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-09/chennai/31139420_1_metro-station-cmrl-passenger-terminals | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130216070034/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-09/chennai/31139420_1_metro-station-cmrl-passenger-terminals | url-status = dead | archive-date = 16 February 2013 | newspaper = [[The Times of India]] | access-date = 6 January 2013}}</ref> The Tirusulam suburban train station will also be integrated with the metro station and the airport.<ref>{{cite news | last = Janardhanan | first = Arun | title = Corridor to connect airport with stations | newspaper = The Times of India epaper | location = Chennai | publisher = The Times Group | date = 23 September 2011 | url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/09/23&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00202&ViewMode=HTML | access-date = 13 January 2012 | archive-date = 22 June 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170622120656/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F09%2F23&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00202&ViewMode=HTML | url-status = live }}</ref> A [[Chennai Airport Flyover|flyover at the entrance]] of the airport helps the traffic on GST road bypass the entrance. The [[Kathipara Junction|Kathipara grade-separator]] at Guindy facilitates the traffic flowing from the city centre onto the airport side.

In 2018, a 600-meter-long travelator connecting the terminals was opened at a cost of {{INR}}800 million.<ref>{{cite news | title = Travelator ready, but open to public only from 14 April | newspaper = The Hindu | location = Chennai | publisher = Kasturi & Sons | date = 26 March 2018 | url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/travelator-ready-but-open-to-public-only-from-april-14/article23352530.ece | access-date = 8 August 2018 | archive-date = 26 March 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180326143232/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/travelator-ready-but-open-to-public-only-from-april-14/article23352530.ece | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Greenery==
A vertical garden was constructed in the terminals at a cost of {{INR}}400 million. The garden has about 40 different varieties of plants. The garden is visible from the terminals and also the connecting tube that links the landside to the airside (the area closer to the runway). The garden is watered using the [[drip irrigation]] method.<ref name="Hindu_VerticalGardenToBeRevived">{{Cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = Vertical garden at airport to be revived
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 27 June 2017
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/vertical-garden-at-airport-to-be-revived/article19151313.ece
| access-date = 2 July 2017
| archive-date = 13 December 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191213185024/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/vertical-garden-at-airport-to-be-revived/article19151313.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

==Future expansion==
===Expansion of present airport===
An integrated simulator will be installed at Chennai Airport, which will be the first of its kind in the country, at a cost of {{INR}}200 million. The equipment will be set up at the Air Traffic Services complex.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Chennai Airport to get Rs 200 million ATC Simulator
| newspaper = The New Indian Express
| publisher = IBN Live
| date = 26 October 2011
| url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chennai-airport-to-get-rs-20-crore-atc-simulator/196174-60-120.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416183056/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chennai-airport-to-get-rs-20-crore-atc-simulator/196174-60-120.html
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 16 April 2014
| access-date = 10 January 2012}}</ref>

In January 2018, a satellite terminal near the second runway was planned to be built in 3 years.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Satellite terminal: AAI to start work in 3 years
| newspaper = The Times of India
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 18 January 2018
| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/satellite-terminal-aai-to-start-work-in-3-years/articleshow/62546283.cms
| access-date = 11 February 2018
| archive-date = 12 February 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083218/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/satellite-terminal-aai-to-start-work-in-3-years/articleshow/62546283.cms
| url-status = live
}}</ref> A 1.5 km tunnel to connect the satellite terminal with the main buildings has been planned at a cost of {{INR}}7,000 million. This tunnel will run at a depth of 10.5 feet below the ground.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = City airport to have tunnel to connect to satellite terminal
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 10 January 2018
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/city-airport-to-have-tunnel-to-connect-to-satellite-terminal/article22407726.ece
| access-date = 11 February 2018
| archive-date = 29 January 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180129091807/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/city-airport-to-have-tunnel-to-connect-to-satellite-terminal/article22407726.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

Following the {{INR}}23,000 million phase I expansion that began in 2007 and completed in 2013, the phase II expansion comes at a cost of {{INR}}25,870 million is expected to begin in 2018, aimed to be completed in 42 months by September 2021. This will expand the area to 160,000 m2, with a capacity of 35 million passengers, up from the existing capacity of 18 million. With the completion, the new building will serve as the sole integrated terminal alongside the existing newer domestic and international terminals.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = Airport's Phase II expansion set to take off
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 8 January 2018
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/airports-phase-ii-expansion-set-to-take-off/article22392935.ece
| access-date = 11 February 2018
| archive-date = 9 April 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180409114331/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/airports-phase-ii-expansion-set-to-take-off/article22392935.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

As of July 2018, the AAI had acquired 130 acres of land for the expansion of the present airport, and acquisition of another 101 acres of land is in progress.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Ramakrishnan
| first = T.
| title = Expansion of airports hits stride
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 19 July 2018
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/expansion-of-airports-hits-stride/article24455370.ece
| access-date = 22 July 2018
| archive-date = 4 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200204133358/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/expansion-of-airports-hits-stride/article24455370.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

Construction of the new integrated terminal is under progress and completion is expected by December 2022, which was delayed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Commission will be done in two phases, the primary at June 2021. Automatic boarding, additional food courts, expansive baggage claim and arrival area, extra greenery, and state-of-the-art architecture designs are features of the new terminal. Officials say with this they will be able to surpass the present service rank of the airport, which was lacked in poor maintenance, both nationally and internationally.

The airport lagged in star ratings a lot behind other comparative major airports like [[Bangalore]], [[Kolkata]], and [[Hyderabad]] in [[Skytrax]] Airport Awards and other reviews due to its insufficient terminal space and sanitization facilities at restrooms.

===New greenfield airport at Parandur===

In 2012, the feasibility report of the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO), suggested that a second airport for the city could come up on {{convert|5000|acre}} at [[Sriperumbudur]], was submitted to the state government. The four-runway second airport is proposed to be built on 4,823 acres near Sriperumbudur, southwest of Chennai, at an estimated cost of {{INR}}35,000 million in the first phase and Second phase has not been disclosed.<ref>{{cite news | last=Oppili | first=P. | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2334267.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=State government has to decide on second airport for Chennai: AAI | date=8 August 2011 | access-date=11 January 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911032508/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2334267.ece | archive-date=11 September 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref> To be built in two phases, the anticipated expenditure for phase I of the project is {{INR}}40,000 million with an 87,000 sq m terminal along with a parking space for 750 vehicles. The second phase involves 1,50,000 sq m of terminal and enhancing parking space to accommodate 1,500 vehicles at an investment of {{INR}}14,750 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Greenfield Airport plan on fast track |newspaper=The New Indian Express|location=Chennai |publisher=IBNLive.com |date=5 September 2011 |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/greenfield-airport-plan-on-fast-track/181375-60-118.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416052741/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/greenfield-airport-plan-on-fast-track/181375-60-118.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2012 |access-date=14 January 2012}}</ref> The greenfield airport will be able to handle 40 million passengers per annum.<ref name="HinduBL_TNProposesSecondAirport">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3155610.ece|work=[[The Hindu Business Line]]|title=TN proposes second greenfield airport|date=22 March 2012|access-date=22 March 2012|location=Chennai, India|archive-date=23 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323215621/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3155610.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of September 2019, the State government has shortlisted six locations for the second international airport. These include [[Thiruporur]] (40 km from the present airport), Vallathur (70 km), Thodur (55 km), Mappedu (46 km), [[Cheyyar]] (90 km), and Maduramangalam (55 km).<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sangeetha Kandavel & Sunitha Sekar
| title = Six locations shortlisted for city's second airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 22 September 2019
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/six-locations-shortlisted-for-chennai-second-airport/article29479974.ece
| access-date = 20 October 2019
| archive-date = 31 January 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200131102619/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/six-locations-shortlisted-for-chennai-second-airport/article29479974.ece
| url-status = live}}</ref>

In August 2022, the state government finally selected Parandur in [[Kanchipuram]] district as location for the new greenfield airport. The [[Chennai greenfield airport, Parandur|New Chennai Greenfield International Airport]] in Parandur, will take a minimum 5 to 7 years to be built.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
Apart from the expansion of the existing airport at [[Tirusulam]], the new [[Greenfield project|greenfield]] airport at Parandur would come up on 4970 acres of land.

==Incidents and accidents==
* In August 1984, a [[Meenambakkam bomb blast|bomb blast]] 1,200 m from the airport killed 33 persons and injured 27 others. It was in the older terminal building situated near Meenambakkam railway station.<ref>{{cite web|title = Eelam Army chief held for Chennai blast|publisher = The Indian Express News Service|date = 8 February 1998|url = http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19980208/03950624.html|access-date = 11 January 2012|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091007133247/http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19980208/03950624.html|archive-date = 7 October 2009|df = dmy-all}}</ref> The entire concourse was razed down and had to be rebuilt.<ref>{{cite news|title = Airport blast: HC sets aside life term for five|location = Chennai|date = 3 May 2000|url = http://www.hindu.com/2000/05/03/stories/0203000t.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121111022606/http://hindu.com/2000/05/03/stories/0203000t.htm|url-status = dead|archive-date = 11 November 2012|newspaper = [[The Hindu]]|access-date = 11 January 2012}}</ref>
* On 29 September 1986, Indian Airlines flight IC 571, an Airbus A300b2-1c (registration VT-ELV), on a routine flight from Chennai to Mumbai, aborted take-off due to a bird-strike and suffered a runway excursion. No fatalities were reported. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
* On 5 March 1999, [[Air France]] flight 6745, an ex-UTA [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-2B3F]] (SCD) freighter (registration F-GPAN) carrying a revenue load of 66 tonnes of cargo from [[Charles de Gaulle Airport]] [CDG], [[Paris]] to [[Madras]] [MAA] via [[Karachi]] [KHI] and [[Bangalore, India|Bangalore]] [BLR] crash-landed, caught fire and burned out. Madras ATC had cleared the aircraft for an ILS approach to the airport's runway 07. The crew abandoned the approach due to technical difficulties and the aircraft circled to attempt a second approach. At the end of the second approach, the aircraft's nose struck the runway while touching down because its nose gear was not locked. The plane skidded and came to rest 7,000 feet (2,100 m) down the {{convert|13050|ft|m|abbr=on}} runway. After it had come to a standstill, the crew noticed smoke on the flight deck and began to extinguish the flames. Soon after, flames erupted in the aircraft's front section. One crew member managed to escape from the flight deck via a rope ladder. The remaining four crew members were rescued by the airport fire service from the rear, before the flames engulfed the entire aircraft. The fire service was unable to extinguish the fire and the aircraft burned out.<ref>{{cite web|title = ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-2B3F (SCD) F-GPAN Chennai Airport (MAA)|work = Aviation Safety Network|publisher = Flight Safety Foundation|url = http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19990305-0|access-date = 11 January 2012|archive-date = 14 January 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120114045709/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19990305-0|url-status = live}}</ref>

==2015 Chennai floods==
{{further|2015 South India floods}}
[[File:Chennai Airport submerged during December 2015 Tamil Nadu flood.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of submerged Chennai International Airport]]
In December 2015, unprecedented rainfall associated with India's [[Northeast monsoon|North-east monsoon]] caused extensive [[2015 Chennai floods|flooding]] of the airport tarmac and runways. The airport was closed for a week to all traffic by the AAI from the evening of 1 December until noon on 6 December. About 1,500 passengers and 2,000 airport workers were evacuated as water entered terminal buildings and 30-35 aircraft were stranded on the apron.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/chennai-airport-closed-until-noon-on-sunday/articleshow/50015008.cms|title=Chennai airport closed until noon on Sunday|work=Economic Times|access-date=2 December 2015|archive-date=5 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205053613/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/chennai-airport-closed-until-noon-on-sunday/articleshow/50015008.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Military authorities permitted the use of Naval Air Station [[INS Rajali]] in [[Arakkonam]], 70 km (43 mi) west of central Chennai and [[Tambaram Air Force Station]] 20 km (12 mi) south as relief airports for a limited service of civilian commercial flights as well as official rescue/assistance flights.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/With-Chennai-marooned-naval-base-to-act-as-civilian-airport/articleshow/50016359.cms|title=Naval Base to act as civilian airport|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=3 December 2015|archive-date=4 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204155637/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/With-Chennai-marooned-naval-base-to-act-as-civilian-airport/articleshow/50016359.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, [[Indian Air Force]] evacuated passengers from Chennai Airport to the two military bases for onward journeys on Air Force transport aircraft to other domestic destinations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thestatesman.com/news/india/iaf-to-evacuate-stranded-passengers-from-chennai-airport/108131.html|title=IAF to evacuate stranded passengers from Chennai airport|publisher=The Statesman|access-date=3 December 2015|archive-date=9 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209002200/http://www.thestatesman.com/news/india/iaf-to-evacuate-stranded-passengers-from-chennai-airport/108131.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 5 December, the [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|Directorate General of Civil Aviation]] permitted a partial re-opening of the airport during daylight hours under [[visual meteorological conditions]] only, allowing airlines to ferry stranded aircraft out of Chennai without passengers or cargo on board. Operations under [[instrument meteorological conditions]] were not permitted. Rescue and assistance flights, however, were permitted to operate in and out of the airport.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/chennai-airport-to-be-made-operational-in-rain-battered-tamil-nadu-today_1830724.html|title=Chennai airport to be made operational today|publisher=Zee News India|access-date=5 December 2015|archive-date=7 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207100653/http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/chennai-airport-to-be-made-operational-in-rain-battered-tamil-nadu-today_1830724.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Transport in Chennai]]
* [[Airports in India]]
* [[Air transport in India]]
* [[List of busiest airports in India by passenger traffic]]
* [[List of airlines of India]]
* [[Chennai greenfield airport, Parandur]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |last1=Lake |first1=A |title= Flying units of the RAF |year=1999 |publisher= Airlife |location= [[Shrewsbury]] |isbn= 1-84037-086-6 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}

* {{Official website|https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/chennai}}
* [https://www.chennaiairport.com Unofficial website]
* {{ASN|MAA}}

{{Portal bar|India|Aviation|Transport|Engineering}}
{{Chennai Topics|left}}
{{Transport in Chennai}}
{{Airports in India}}

[[Category:Airports in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:1948 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1948]]
[[Category:Memorials to C. N. Annadurai]]
[[Category:Transport in Chennai]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Chennai]]
[[Category:World War II sites in India]]

Chennai International Airport

2022-12-21T21:46:12Z

2600:1700:5390:4560:154:464C:6130:B614: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

{{short description|Airport in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{redirect|Chennai Airport|the new airport under construction|Chennai greenfield airport, Parandur}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Chennai International Airport
| nativename = 
| image =
| IATA = '''MAA'''
| ICAO = '''VOMM'''
| type = Public
| owner = [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]]
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served = [[Chennai Metropolitan Area]]
| location = [[Tirusulam]], [[Chennai, Tamil Nadu|Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| opened = {{start date and age|1930|||df=y|p=n|br=n}}
| hub = {{bulleted list
| [[Blue Dart Aviation]]
| [[IndiGo]]
}}
| focus_city = {{bulleted list
| [[Air India]]
| [[Go First]]
| [[SpiceJet]]
}}
| elevation-f = 52
| elevation-m = 16
| metric-elev = yes
| coordinates = {{Coord|12|58|56|N|80|9|49|E|type:airport_region:IN-TN|display=title,inline}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/chennai|Chennai International Airport}}
| pushpin_map = India Chennai#India Tamil Nadu#India#South Asia
| pushpin_label = '''MAA'''/VOMM
| mapframe = yes
| r1-number = 07/25
| r1-length-f = 12,025
| r1-length-m = 3,662
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt]]
| r2-number = 12/30
| r2-length-m = 2,935
| r2-length-f = 9,629
| r2-surface = [[Asphalt]]/Concrete
| metric-rwy = yes
| stat-year = April 2021 - March 2022
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 9,533,301({{increase}} 73.5%)
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 91,602 ({{increase}} 41.8%)
| stat3-header = Cargo tonnage
| stat3-data = 349,964 ({{increase}} 20.6%)
| footnotes = Source [[Airport Authority of India|AAI]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure III - Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex3.pdf|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507151241/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex3.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure II - Aircraft Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex2.pdf|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501224637/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k18annex2.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure IV - Freight Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex4.pdf|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507170733/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex4.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| image2 = Chennai airport view 4.jpeg
| image-width = 300
| image2-width = 300
}}

'''Chennai International Airport''' {{Airport codes|MAA|VOMM}} is an [[international airport]] serving the city of [[Chennai, Tamil Nadu]] and [[Chennai Metropolitan Area|its metropolitan area]]. It is located in [[Tirusulam]], {{cvt|21|km}} southwest of the city centre. Chennai International Airport is the [[List of busiest airports in India by passenger traffic|sixth busiest airport in India]]<ref name="traffic_stats3">{{cite web|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k20Annex4.pdf|title=Traffic News for the month of March 2020: Annexure-IV|work=[[Airports Authority of India]]|date=22 May 2020|access-date=22 May 2020|page=3|archive-date=1 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501224509/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k18annex4.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and third busiest airport for international traffic in India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAI Traffic News May 2023 India |url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/May2k22Annex3.pdf}}</ref> It was also 49th [[List of the busiest airports in Asia#2018 statistics|busiest airport in Asia in 2018]] making it one of the four major airports in India under the top 50 list of 2018.<ref name="UseBySmallATRs">{{cite news|last=Sekar|first=Sunitha|title=Tambaram Air Force base to be used by smaller aircraft soon|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=14 May 2019|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-to-initiate-talks-with-iaf-to-roll-out-plan-at-the-earliest-tambaram-air-force-base-to-be-used-by-smaller-aircraft-soon/article27121297.ece|access-date=20 May 2019|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229232635/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-to-initiate-talks-with-iaf-to-roll-out-plan-at-the-earliest-tambaram-air-force-base-to-be-used-by-smaller-aircraft-soon/article27121297.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> In financial year 2021, the airport handled 9.53 million passengers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure III - Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex3.pdf|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=14 June 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507151241/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex3.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The airport is served by the [[Chennai International Airport metro station|airport metro station]] of the [[Chennai Metro]] and the [[Tirusulam railway station]] of the [[Chennai Suburban Railway|Chennai Suburban Railway system]]. To cope with the passenger traffic, two new terminals, including one satellite terminal, are under construction to handle 40 million passengers per year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/lt-starts-work-on-airport-terminal/article25042773.ece |title=L&T starts work on airport terminal |newspaper=The Hindu |date=26 September 2018 |access-date=12 August 2019 |last1=Sekar |first1=Sunitha |archive-date=10 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210084658/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/lt-starts-work-on-airport-terminal/article25042773.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> Once completed, it will be India's first airport to have a satellite terminal. The new satellite terminal will be connected through a four way underground walkalator for passenger movement across different terminals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/satellite-terminal-between-two-runways-readying-for-take-off/articleshow/69258464.cms |title=Chennai: Satellite terminal between two runways readying for take-off | Chennai News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=10 May 2019 |access-date=12 August 2019 |archive-date=25 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925192940/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/satellite-terminal-between-two-runways-readying-for-take-off/articleshow/69258464.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Still, the Tirusulam airport complex is expected to reach saturation by 2035, with a peak capacity of 40 million passengers, and a proposal for a new [[Chennai greenfield airport, Parandur|greenfield airport]] in [[Parandur]] has been approved. Once the new airport is commissioned, both the airports will be functional.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennais-2nd-airport-may-come-up-on-3500-acres-near-mamandur/articleshow/68312148.cms |title=New Chennai Airport: Chennai's 2nd airport may come up on 3,500 acres near Mamandur | Chennai News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=8 March 2019 |access-date=12 August 2019 |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027165249/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennais-2nd-airport-may-come-up-on-3500-acres-near-mamandur/articleshow/68312148.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

The older domestic and international blocks 2 and 3 were named after former [[Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu]] [[K. Kamaraj]] and [[C. N. Annadurai]], respectively. It was the first airport in India to have international and domestic terminals located adjacent to each other. It was designed by Creative Group, an India-based architecture firm. The airport serves as the southern regional headquarters of the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) for [[South India]] comprising the states of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Kerala]] and the union territories of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]] and [[Lakshadweep]].

==History==
[[File:D'Angelis biplane 1910 designed and built, by G. d'Angelis.jpg|thumb|250px|Giacomo D'Angelis and his biplane in 1910, the first flight ever in Asia]]
[[Image:Meenambakkam airport.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The old terminal (1945) at Meenambakkam]]

===First test flight in Madras===
The aviation history of the city began in 1910, when a city-based [[Corsicans|Corsican]] hotelier [[Giacomo D'Angelis]] built an aircraft and tested it in [[The Island, Chennai|Island Grounds]].<ref name="Hindu_MadrasMiscellany_22Aug2010"/> Inspired by Frenchman, [[Louis Blériot]], the first to fly across [[English Channel]] in July 1909,<ref name="Hindu_MadrasMiscellany_22Aug2010"/><ref name="Hindu_MagnificentMenInMadras">{{cite news
| last = Muthiah | first = S. | title = The magnificent men in Madras | location = Chennai | date = 1 December 2003| url = http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/01/stories/2003120100050300.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040103133744/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/01/stories/2003120100050300.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 3 January 2004 | newspaper = [[The Hindu]] | access-date = 25 December 2022}}</ref> D'Angelis collaborated with Simpson's, a leading coach-builder in the city, to build a [[biplane]].<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/> The biplane was built entirely from D'Angelis's own designs, fitted with a small horse-power engine. Samuel John Green, a motor engineer at Simpson's, helped with the manufacture and assembly of the biplane.<ref name="Hindu_MadrasMiscellany_22Aug2010"/> On 10 March 1910, D'Angelis tested the aircraft in the suburb of [[Pallavaram]], making it the first flight ever in Asia.<ref name="OurMedia_FirstToFlyInAsia">{{cite web | title = Giacomo D'Angelis, first to fly in Asia (Madras 10 March 1910) | publisher = OurMedia | url = https://archive.org/details/GiacomoDangelisFirstToFlyInAsiaMadras10March1910 | access-date = 25 December 2022}}</ref> While demonstrating it to the public during the ticketed show, he even took a person from the crowd on the aircraft as his passenger.<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing">{{cite news | last = Ayyappan | first = V. | title = When Good Old Madras Took Wing | newspaper = The Times of India | location = Chennai | publisher = The Times Group | date = 21 August 2009 | url = http://mobiletoi.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=3&sectid=edid=&edlabel=TOICH&mydateHid=21-08-2009&pubname=Times%20of%20India%20-%20Chennai&edname=&articleid=Ar00300&publabel=TOI | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614041323/http://mobiletoi.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=3&sectid=edid=&edlabel=TOICH&mydateHid=21 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 14 June 2013 | access-date = 25 December 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Immediately, he also arranged a public viewing at the Island Grounds, charging entrance fees for the demonstration.<ref name="Hindu_MadrasMiscellany_22Aug2010">{{cite news | last = Muthiah | first = S. | title = Madras Miscellany | newspaper = The Hindu | location = Chennai | date = 22 August 2010 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/madras-miscellany/article588012.ece | access-date = 25 December 2012 | archive-date = 27 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211027165249/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/Madras-Miscellany/article12572738.ece | url-status = live }}</ref>

The interest in flying among prominent residents of the city resulted in the arrival of a set of aviators in 1911 to display the flying machines they had brought with them to India as a marketing initiative.<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/> The aviators included Baron de Caters and Jules Tyck.<ref name="BharatRakshak_BeginningOfAviation"/> On 15 February 1911, Tyck flew in a [[Blériot Aéronautique|Blériot aeroplane]] in front of the public. The aircraft was wheeled out by eight men with Tyck seated inside the craft wearing an oilskin coat and goggles. The men held the plane till its engine revved up and then let go, and the craft darted forward about 20 yards before rising into the air. In the air, the craft made a straight flight only for about three-quarters of the length of the ground and descended due to poor weather.<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/> Tyck flew again the next day, this time reaching a height of 2,400 feet, which was witnessed by the then [[Governor of Madras]] [[Arthur Lawley, 6th Baron Wenlock|Sir Arthur Lawley]].<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/> Two days later, on 18 February, another demonstration was given by [[Pierre de Caters]], when he flew his aircraft in public.<ref name="BharatRakshak_BeginningOfAviation">{{cite web|last=Bhargava |first=Kapil |title=Beginning of Aviation in India—A peep into its early history |publisher=bharat-rakshak.com |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Aircraft/AviationIndia.pdf |access-date=25 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227142219/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Aircraft/AviationIndia.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref>

===Early commercial aviation history in India===
The history of civil aviation in India began in December 1912, with the opening of the first domestic air route between [[Karachi]] and [[Delhi]] by the Indian state Air services in collaboration with the [[Imperial Airways]], United Kingdom. However, it was just an extension of [[London]]–[[Karachi]] flight of the Imperial Airways. In 1915, the first Indian airline, [[Tata Sons|Tata Air Mail]], started a regular airmail service between Karachi and Madras without any patronage from the government, marking the beginning of air transportation in the southern part of India.<ref name="TCIL_CivilAviation">{{cite web | title = Civil Aviation | publisher = Transport Corporation of India Ltd | url = http://www.tcil.com/ca.asp | access-date = 21 July 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120917145240/http://www.tcil.com/ca.asp | archive-date = 17 September 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

A test flight was conducted at the Island Grounds in 1914, when J. W. Madley, a water works engineer, tested an aircraft assembled by him. He flew it over the [[Red Hills reservoir]] to inspect works and shot a couple of aerial photographs of the reservoir from the aircraft.<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/>

===Madras Flying Club===
{{main|Madras Flying Club}}
In March 1930, a discussion initiated by pilot G. Vlasto led to the founding of [[Madras Flying Club]], which became a pioneer in [[South India]].<ref name="Hindu_MagnificentMenInMadras"/><ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/> The club had 71 founding members, of whom 14 were Indians. Flt Lt H N Hawker became the club's first flight instructor.<ref name="Hindu_MagnificentMenInMadras"/> The club's first Indian chief pilot instructor, Mohammed Ismail Khan, trained several pilots, some of whom were trained professionally or others simply for fun.<ref name="Hindu_MagnificentMenInMadras"/> When the state council of [[Ceylon]] built an aerodrome at [[Ratmalana Airport|Ratmalana]] near [[Colombo]] in 1935, the first flight to land there was flown by chief flying instructor of the club Tyndale Biscoe. On 26 October 1936, [[V. Sundaram|Captain V. Sundaram]], who got the first commercial pilot licence in India, flew a [[de Havilland Dove]] aircraft from Karachi to Madras.<ref name="TOI_WhenGoodOldMadrasTookWing"/>

===First commercial flight===
On 15 October 1932, when [[J. R. D. Tata]], founder of Tata Sons Ltd, flew a single-engined [[de Havilland]] carrying air mail (postal mail of [[Imperial Airways]]) from [[Karachi]]'s Drigh Road Aerodrome to [[Bombay]]'s [[Juhu aerodrome|Juhu Airstrip]] via [[Ahmedabad]], the flight was continued to [[Madras]] via [[Bellary]] piloted by aviator [[Nevill Vintcent]].<ref name="timetableimages.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/il.htm |title=Air-India Ltd. (1) – Tata Air Lines – Tata Sons – Tata Air Services |publisher=Timetableimages.com |access-date=13 September 2012 |archive-date=15 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215053425/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/il.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:ChennaiAirport.jpg|thumb|250px|Aerial view of Chennai International Airport]]

===Military use===

The following units were here at some point with the base being called "St Thomas Mount":
* No. 1 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force (IAF) Volunteer Reserve (1940–42) became No. 101 (Coast Defence) Flight IAF{{sfn|Lake|1999|p=49}}
* No. 101 (Coast Defence) Flight IAF (1942) became No. 101 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron IAF{{sfn|Lake|1999|p=49}}

===Airport terminals===
Madras Airport was one of the first airports of India, commissioned in 1930.<ref name="AirCustomsChennai_History">{{cite web
| title = History of Chennai Airport
| publisher = Office of the Commissioner of Customs
| url = http://www.aircustomschennai.gov.in/history.html
| access-date = 3 December 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120311020121/http://www.aircustomschennai.gov.in/history.html
| archive-date = 11 March 2012
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> The airport was built on land donated by the former governor of [[Madras Presidency]], [[K. Sriramulu Naidu]].<ref name="AirCustomsChennai_History"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ijmsrr.com/downloads/31102014IJMSRR%2025.pdf |title=Administration of Chennai International Airport – A Study |access-date=24 December 2019 |archive-date=9 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209193838/http://ijmsrr.com/downloads/31102014IJMSRR%2025.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the first aircraft landed in Madras Airport in 1930, the usage was confined only to military operations during [[World War II]].<ref name="HISTORICALDATA">{{cite web| title =About Chennai International Airport| publisher =Airports Authority of India| url =http://www.airportsindia.org.in/chennai/aboutus.jsp| access-date =13 January 2012| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120503161205/http://www.airportsindia.org.in/chennai/aboutus.jsp| archive-date =3 May 2012| df =dmy-all}}</ref> In 1952, the Civil Aviation Department took over its operations followed by the AAI in 1972.
[[File:CHENNAI AIRPORT RMM IMG 20171106 154528.jpg|thumb|250px|Chennai Airport in 2017]]

The first passenger [[art deco]]–style [[airport terminal|terminal]] was completed in 1954 on the North East side of [[Meenambakkam]] village, thus being referred to as Meenambakkam Airport. In the early 80s, a new terminal was built at [[Tirusulam]] and passenger operations were shifted. The new domestic terminal (named Kamaraj Terminal 2) was commissioned in 1985 and the international terminal (named Anna Terminal 3) was commissioned in 1989. The old terminal building became known as Terminal 1 until 2013 and is now used as a cargo terminal for [[Blue Dart Aviation]].<ref name="HISTORICALDATA"/>

An air cargo complex was commissioned on 1 February 1978 for processing of import, export, and transshipment cargo, in addition to unaccompanied luggage,<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport"/> which is the second gateway air cargo terminal in the country after the one at [[Kolkata airport|Kolkata Airport]].<ref>{{cite web
|title = Airport Audit, Commercial & Cargo
|publisher = Airports Authority of India
|url = http://www.aai.aero/services/airport_audit_commercial_cargo.jsp
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117022555/http://www.aai.aero/services/airport_audit_commercial_cargo.jsp
|archive-date = 17 January 2013
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> In November 1988, [[British Airways]] inaugurated a link to [[London]], Chennai's first route to Europe. Flights stopped in Kuwait and were operated by Lockheed L-1011s in the beginning.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/british-airways-and-chennai-a-30-year-old-connection/article25638186.ece | title=British Airways and Chennai: a 30-year-old connection | work=The Hindu | date=1 December 2018 | access-date=4 January 2022 | author=Krishnaswamy, Murali N.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=The Madras experience | work=Sunday Telegraph | date=2 October 1988 | pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111602384/sunday-telegraph/ 68], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111602489/sunday-telegraph/ 69]}}</ref> In April 1991, the airline started performing the flight nonstop with Boeing 747 aircraft.<ref>{{cite journal | title=Speech at the inauguration of British Airways non-stop flight between Madras and London on 2nd April 1991 | journal=Addresses of Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh, Governor of Tamil Nadu | year=1993 | volume=1 | pages=97–99}}</ref>

[[File:Chennai Airport ramp view.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ramp view of the airport]]

On 23 September 1999, a centre for flowers, fruits and vegetables was commissioned at the cargo terminal.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport"/> In 2001, Chennai Airport received [[ISO 9000|ISO 9001-2000]] certification, the first such international airport in India. During the early days, Madras Airport was one of the largest airports in India handling many international flight connections.<ref name="Indian Logistics Info">{{cite web
| title = Chennai Airport
| publisher = Indian Logistics Info.com
| url = http://www.indianlogisticsinfo.com/indian_aviation/chennai_airport.html
| access-date = 20 December 2012
| archive-date = 3 November 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103164528/http://www.indianlogisticsinfo.com/indian_aviation/chennai_airport.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name="ISO_HINDU">{{cite news
| title = ISO 9001-2000 for Chennai airport
| newspaper = Business Line
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Hindu
| date = 27 August 2001
| url = http://www.hindu.com/businessline/2001/08/27/stories/142704xs.htm
| access-date = 20 December 2012
| archive-date = 2 December 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121202091043/http://www.hindu.com/businessline/2001/08/27/stories/142704xs.htm
| url-status = dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|title = Certification Awarded to Airports Authority of India
|publisher = AAI
|url = http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/Chennai_ISO.pdf
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130723031010/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/Chennai_ISO.pdf
|archive-date = 23 July 2013
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref>

[[Delta Air Lines]]' maiden flight from [[New York City]] via Paris touched down in May 2005. Boeing 767s operated the service.<ref name="th606">{{cite news | url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/30/stories/2006063016800500.htm | title=Delta to discontinue Chennai flights | work=The Hindu | date=30 June 2006 | accessdate=28 August 2022 | author=Shankar, T. S. | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220151547/http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/30/stories/2006063016800500.htm | archivedate=20 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/delta-air-lines-to-start-chennai-ny-direct-service-from-may-2005-104121601083_1.html | title=Delta Air Lines to start Chennai-NY direct service from May 2005 | work=Business Standard | date=16 December 2004 | accessdate=28 August 2022}}</ref> The following November, however, the carrier stopped serving Chennai. Instead of flying to India via Paris, it had decided to commence a direct flight from New York to Mumbai and hand the Chennai–Paris route over to its partner Air France.<ref name="th606" /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/060619/100884.html | title=Delta Air Lines to Become Only Airline to Serve Five Continents Nonstop from New York | work=Delta Air Lines | date=19 June 2006 | accessdate=19 October 2022 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628192736/http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/060619/100884.html | archivedate=28 June 2022}}</ref> In 2008, the AAI started major modernisation of the airport.<ref>{{cite web
|title = Domestic Projects
|publisher = AAI
|url = http://www.aai.aero/services/domestic_projects.jsp
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117021349/http://www.aai.aero/services/domestic_projects.jsp
|archive-date = 17 January 2013
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref>

==Administration==
[[Image:Inside of chennai international airport.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Inside of Chennai International Airport]]
Chennai Airport is the regional headquarters of the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) for the southern region of India comprising the states of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Kerala]] as well as the union territories of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]] and [[Lakshadweep]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Regional Headquarters|publisher=Airports Authority of India|url=http://www.aai.aero/public_notices/aaisite_test/rhq.jsp|access-date=30 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227130723/http://www.aai.aero/public_notices/aaisite_test/rhq.jsp|archive-date=27 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Information About Chennai International Airport|publisher=Airports Authority of India|url=https://chennaiairport.in/about-cia/|access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1573664 | title = Shri. R. Madhavan takes over New Regional Executive Director of AAI | last = | first = | date = 7 June 2019 | website = PIB Chennai | publisher = Government of India, Press Information Bureau | access-date = 28 December 2021 | quote = "Regional Executive Director of the Southern Region of the A.A.I. ... tasked with the responsibility of management, upgradation and development, of all the Airports in the five states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Karnataka, apart from the UT of Pondicherry and Lakshadweep."}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.aai.aero/en/node/4004 | title = Where are the regional headquarters? | last = | first = | date = n.d. | website = Airports Authority of India | publisher = Government of India, Ministry of Aviation | access-date = 28 December 2021 | quote = }}</ref><ref name="SouthRegHQ">{{cite web | url = https://www.aai.aero/en/node/8852 | title = Southern Regional Headquarters | last = | first = | date = n.d. | website = Airports Authority of India | publisher = Government of India, Ministry of Aviation | access-date = 29 December 2021 | quote = }}</ref> It functions from the ATC Complex within the airport and has 49 airports under its control, including 19 operational AAI airports, 5 operational private/joint venture airports, 5 non-operational airports, 12 military airports, and 8 disused airfields. These include 6 international airports, 15 domestic airports, and 3 customs airports.<ref name="AAI_SouthernRegHeadquarters">{{cite web| title =Southern Regional Headquarters| publisher =Airports Authority of India| url =http://www.aai.aero/departments/southern_reg_main.jsp#1| access-date =30 December 2012| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140624171120/http://www.aai.aero/departments/southern_reg_main.jsp#1| archive-date =24 June 2014| df =dmy-all}}</ref>

Chennai Airport is the centre of the southern [[flight information region]] (FIR), one of the four FIRs that the Indian air space is divided into. The regional executive director (RED) is responsible for the air traffic services over the Chennai FIR and airport management on ground at the airports in [[South India]]. The Chennai FIR includes terrestrial air space above the five southern states and two southern union territories and the oceanic air space of the southern part of the [[Bay of Bengal]] and the eastern part of the [[Arabian Sea]]. Coordination with the neighbouring national FIRs of [[Kolkata]] and [[Mumbai]] and with the neighbouring international FIRs of [[Sri Lanka]], [[Kuala Lampur]], and [[Yangon]] for air traffic control purposes are being made with telecommunication links (both voice and data). The immigration services at the airport are handled by the Bureau of Immigration.<ref>{{cite web| title =Foreigners Regional Registration Office, Chennai| publisher =Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, India| url =http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/frro_chennairAdd2.htm| access-date =5 January 2013| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130122092643/http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/frro_chennairAdd2.htm| archive-date =22 January 2013| df =dmy-all}}</ref>

===Security===
Chennai Airport is the home to the southern regional office of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), whose main responsibilities include instituting standards and measures with respect to security of civil flights at international and domestic airports in India.<ref>{{cite web| title = Organization Setup | publisher = Ministry of Civil Aviation | url = https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/en/aboutus/orgsetup | access-date = 29 December 2021}}</ref> Security of the airport is provided by the [[Airport Sector (CISF)]], that includes a dog squad. The dogs are trained to sniff and identify [[IEDs]] and [[narcotics]]. While working with the bomb disposal squad they screen the bags left unattended. As of today, the CISF team in charge of Chennai Airport security has a dog squad of 9 dogs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kannan |first1=Sindhu |title=Two CISF dogs retire, 3 new inducted in Chennai |issue=Chennai News |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/two-cisf-dogs-retire-3-new-inducted-in-chennai/articleshow/85505721.cms |work=The Times of India |agency=TNN |date=21 August 2021 |language=en |access-date=21 August 2021 |archive-date=21 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821084314/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/two-cisf-dogs-retire-3-new-inducted-in-chennai/articleshow/85505721.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Privatisation===
The Government of India has proposed to offer a contract to a private operator to maintain and operate the daily operations of the airport. AAI recently invited bids for the same and various firms including [[Tata Group|Tata]], [[Fraport]], Celebi, [[Sahara India Pariwar|Sahara]], [[GMR Group|GMR]], [[GVK Group|GVK]] and [[Essar Group|Essar]] have shown interest.<ref>{{cite news | title = Nine firms take part in Chennai airport familiarisation trip: AAI | newspaper = Business Standard | location = Chennai | date = 10 October 2013 | url = http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/nine-firms-take-part-in-chennai-airport-familiarisation-trip-aai-113100900801_1.html | access-date = 12 October 2013 | archive-date = 9 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131009201954/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/nine-firms-take-part-in-chennai-airport-familiarisation-trip-aai-113100900801_1.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Chennai, Lucknow airports privatisation: Tata, foreign firms participate in pre-bid meeting | newspaper = Economic Times | publisher = Times Group | date = 22 September 2013 | url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-22/news/42292305_1_all-airports-aai-the-airports-authority | access-date = 12 October 2013 | archive-date = 25 September 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130925165707/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-22/news/42292305_1_all-airports-aai-the-airports-authority | url-status = live }}</ref> The airport employees are protesting against the move fearing job losses.<ref>{{cite news | title = AAI employees stand firm against Chennai airport privatisation | newspaper = The Hindu | location = Chennai | date = 8 October 2013 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-employees-stand-firm-against-airport-privatisation/article5211153.ece | access-date = 12 October 2013 | archive-date = 16 April 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416175317/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-employees-stand-firm-against-airport-privatisation/article5211153.ece | url-status = live }}</ref>

== Facilities ==
===Structure===
Spread over an area 1323 acres,<ref name="DNA_AirportUpgradation">{{cite news
| title = Chennai airport upgradation to be completed by year-end
| newspaper = Daily News & Analysis
| location = New Delhi
| publisher = DNA
| date = 3 June 2011
| url = http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_chennai-airport-upgradation-to-be-completed-by-year-end_1550753
| access-date = 31 January 2012
| archive-date = 17 August 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110817023403/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_chennai-airport-upgradation-to-be-completed-by-year-end_1550753
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Chennai International Airport consists of three terminals: the old terminal at [[Meenambakkam]] (Terminal 1) used for cargo, and the two terminals of the passenger terminal complex at [[Tirusulam]] (Terminals 2 and 3) used for domestic and international passenger operations, respectively.

===Passenger terminals===
Today, the passenger terminal complex consists of the newer domestic and international terminals interconnected by a link building, the older international block which today houses administrative offices and a restaurant.<ref name="AirCustomsChennai_History"/> Although the complex is one continuous structure, it was built incrementally, Anna Terminal (Terminal 3) was added in 1988 to the pre-existing Kamaraj Terminal (Terminal 2).
;Terminals 1 and 2

The first part to be built was the Kamaraj domestic terminal (Terminal 2) which had two [[Jet bridge|aero-bridges]], making it the first airport in India to have aero-bridges at the domestic terminal.<ref name="Indian Logistics Info"/> Later, the Anna international terminal (Terminal 3) was built with three aero-bridges. After the completion of the international terminal, the old terminal (Terminal 1) at Meenambakkam was used exclusively for cargo.

;Terminals 3 and 4
Recently, the international terminal was extended further west by adding a new block which includes three aero-bridges. At present, the new international block (Terminal 4) is used for departures while the older Anna Terminal (Terminal 3) is used for arrivals.

The international and the domestic terminals cover an area of 1.5 km2 and 1.8 km2, respectively. The airport is divided into two circles, with five zones each, for administrative conveniences.<ref>{{cite journal| last =Gill| first =Kuldip Singh| author2 =Sushil Kumar Sharma, Rakesh Katyal and Kaushal Kumar| title =Aedes aegypti survey of Chennai Port/Airport, India| journal =Dengue Bulletin| volume =24| publisher =World Health Organization| date =December 2000| url =http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section10/Section332/Section522_2523.htm| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070630053958/http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section10/Section332/Section522_2523.htm| url-status =dead| archive-date =30 June 2007| access-date =3 January 2022}}</ref> Around 550 acres of the airport premises fall within the [[St. Thomas Mount]] and Pallavaram Cantonment Board's limits. The rest of the area comes under the [[Meenambakkam]] town panchayat's jurisdiction.<ref>{{cite news| last = Madhavan| first = D.| title = Cantonment, AAI in row over airport expansion| newspaper = The Times of India epaper| location = Chennai| publisher = The Times Group| date = 25 July 2011| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?| access-date = 23 January 2012| archive-date = 21 January 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120121225858/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp| url-status = live}}</ref> The Kamaraj domestic terminal covers an area of {{convert|19250|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} with 48 check-in counters. The Anna international terminal covers an area of {{convert|42870|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} with 45 check-in counters, 38 immigration counters including 16 at the departure terminal and 22 at the arrival terminal and 18 customs counter including 2 at the departure terminal and 16 at the arrival terminal.<ref name="AAI_AirportTechnicalInfo"/> There are four entry gates at the airport, two each at both the terminals. There are 5 [[X-ray]] baggage facilities at the domestic terminal and 2 at the international terminal.<ref name="AAI_AirportPassengerInfo">{{cite web|title= Passenger Information |publisher= Airports Authority of India |url = http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/chennai_PASSENGER.jsp |access-date= 5 January 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121230110619/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/chennai_PASSENGER.jsp |archive-date = 30 December 2012 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all}}</ref> The total area of retail space at the existing domestic and international terminals is 3,250 sq m, comprising 60 concessions including duty-free retail shops, restaurants, snack bars and executive lounges.<ref name="RetailSpaceInNewTerminals">{{cite news
| last = Kannan
| first = Swetha
| title = New-look Chennai airport to have nearly 3 times current retail space
| newspaper = Business Line
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Hindu
| date = 9 December 2011
| url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2701673.ece
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 9 January 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120109093930/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2701673.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The Anna international terminal has 6 boarding gates on the first floor. The Kamaraj domestic terminal has a total of 9 boarding gates, including 6 on the ground floor and 3 on the first floor.<ref name="AAI_AirportTechnicalInfo">{{cite web
|title = Technical Information
|publisher = Airports Authority of India
|url = http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/chennai_TECHNICAL.jsp
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121109200718/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/chennai_TECHNICAL.jsp
|archive-date = 9 November 2012
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> The airport has 24 taxiways, including the 411-metre-long taxiway M on the southern side commissioned in March 2017, capable of handling 36 aircraft movements per hour.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = A new taxiway for Chennai airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 3 March 2017
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/a-new-taxiway-for-chennai-airport/article17396912.ece
| access-date = 3 March 2017
| archive-date = 29 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200229012217/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/a-new-taxiway-for-chennai-airport/article17396912.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> In January 2018, the airport began cross-runway operations to avoid flight delays, increasing aircraft movements from 36 to 42 an hour.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = Cross-runway operations begin at city airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 12 January 2018
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/cross-runway-operations-begin-at-city-airport/article22424253.ece
| access-date = 11 February 2018
| archive-date = 13 February 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180213034515/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/cross-runway-operations-begin-at-city-airport/article22424253.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

The airport currently has 70 parking bays, one of which can accommodate the super-jumbo [[Airbus A380]].<ref name="DNA_AirportUpgradation"/> Parking bays at the domestic terminal include one in-contact bay for [[Airbus A300]]-sized aircraft, nine in-contact bays for [[Airbus A320]]/[[Boeing 737]]-sized aircraft, and 49 remote bays for A320/737-sized aircraft. Parking bays at the international terminal include seven in-contact bays for [[Boeing 747]]-sized aircraft, 13 remote bays for 747-sized aircraft, one remote bay for an A380 aircraft, and three cargo bays for 747-sized aircraft.<ref name="AAI_AirportTechnicalInfo"/> Works on the 24 new night parking bays had been completed in the apron area. With the new parking bays, the Chennai Airport has 81 parking bays.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Development fee imminent at Chennai airport: AAI
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 27 May 2011
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2052768.ece
| access-date = 31 January 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110531124212/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2052768.ece
| archive-date = 31 May 2011
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

===Expansion and Modernization Phase I===
The airport was modernised and expanded in 2013, with the construction of a new international terminal (Terminal 4), the renovation of the existing Anna international terminal (Terminal 3), the construction of a new domestic terminal (Terminal 1), the extension of the secondary runway, and the creation of a parallel [[runway]], [[taxiway]]s, [[Airport ramp|aprons]], parking bays and cargo terminal. The new terminals spread across {{convert|72000|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and have 72 passenger check-in counters. However, the plan for the parallel runway has been dropped.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Parallel runway plan in city aborted
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 24 November 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/11/24&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 2 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614041010/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F11%2F24&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

The original plan to build a three-basement-level car parking for about 1,500 vehicles with about 8,000 sq m of commercial area on the open ground opposite the new domestic terminal building has been deferred temporarily. Instead, a surface-level parking to accommodate 400 vehicles has been planned at a cost of {{INR}}44.2 million.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Oppili
| first = P.
| title = Plan for multi-level car parking facility at Chennai airport deferred
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 16 July 2011
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2230918.ece
| access-date = 14 January 2012
| archive-date = 17 July 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717203229/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2230918.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
[[File:Chennai airport front view.jpeg|thumb|Chennai Airport's Anterior View|350px]]
The terminal complex will have a flyover [[travellator]] connecting the existing newer terminals for a distance of about 1 km. It will have an elevated road on the top and a tube below which will have two [[walkalator]]s which will connect the three brand new terminals together. The 600 m long walkalator belt was installed on 14 April 2018 at a cost of {{INR}}260 million.

===Expansion and Modernization Phase II===
[[File:Chennai airport view 1.jpeg|thumb|250px|Check-in area]]
The current development projects include construction of a brand new integrated terminal in place of the older Terminals 2 and 3 which currently lie in between the two newer Terminals 1 and 4. The design is a collaborative effort of team lead involving Frederic Schwartz Architects, Gensler, and led by New Delhi-based Creative Group. Creative Group is the principal architect for the project providing comprehensive architecture and engineering consultancy for the design of the passenger terminal building, parking garage structures and roadway access system. The proposed design, based on Gensler's Terminal 2015 concept, will be connected with the design elements of the existing Terminals 1 and 4. It was earlier reported that the new terminal building will have a handling capacity of 10 million passengers and when integrated with the existing terminals will provide for a handling capacity of 23 million passengers a year. The new terminal building is expected to have an area of about 1,40,000 m2 with 104 check-in counters, 16 [[aerobridge|aero-bridge]] and 60 immigration counters and the two runways would be interconnected by a network of taxiways. The {{INR}}24,760-million expansion programme commenced on 11 July 2018 and will be completed by January 2023.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=aaichnairport |number=1533064555814719488 |title=The Chennai Airport Modernisation Phase II will reflect an array of aesthetic elements taken from the rich cultural repository of Tamil Nadu endowing a refreshing hue to the terminal |access-date=4 June 2022 |date=4 June 2022}}</ref> Once completed, it will serve as the airport's sole integrated terminal alongside the newer Terminals 1 and 4.
;Design
[[File:Nataraja At Chennai International Airport.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Nataraja]] statue at the airport]]
The design details of the runways are handled by the Airports Authority of India, while architecture firms are limited to designing buildings on the land side of the runway. The present proposal is parallel to the existing runway. The entire design as being organised around "two lush sustainable gardens" and the wing-like roofs helps collect rainwater and become part of the garden.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Srivathsan
| first = A.
| author2=P. Oppili
| title = Architects for airport expansion
| location = Chennai
| date = 22 September 2008
| url = http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/22/stories/2008092259881200.htm
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080925034652/http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/22/stories/2008092259881200.htm
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 25 September 2008
| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]
| access-date = 11 January 2022}}</ref>

The domestic terminal building currently measures {{convert|139931|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} and handles 4.74 million passengers a year. The revamped design of the domestic terminal building will accommodate twice as many passengers in a three-storey structure 984 ft long. The new design, based on the organisation of security and passenger circulation, centres around two lush, ecologically sustainable gardens each measuring nearly an acre and includes a parking garage with a green roof over 300 m long and rainwater capture systems collectively known as the "green gate" of the terminal. Expansive glass curtain walls will be incorporated to boost the feeling of airiness and spaciousness, as will skylights.<ref name="ArchRecord_AirportIsGreenest">{{cite news
| last = Mathews
| first = Neelam
| title = Chennai Airport to be India's Greenest
| newspaper = Architectural Record
| date = 28 August 2007
| url = http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/070828chennai.asp
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 16 October 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111016211725/http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/070828chennai.asp
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The new terminal will have three levels. The departure area will be featured on the top level with the arrivals section on ground level. The arrivals section will form the base for airlines and other offices with the basement reserved for luggage scanners. The domestic terminal covers 67,700 sq m and will also have a provision of seven gates, two hard-stand hold rooms and 52 check-in counters, besides eight counters for e-ticketing. The international terminal will cover 59,300 sq m with the provision of two gates with multiple hard-stand hold rooms, 52 check-in counters, eight counters for e-ticketing, 18/10 immigration/Custom counters for handling passenger arrival and 18/4 immigration/Custom counters for outgoing passengers. Both the terminals will be equipped with an in-line [[baggage handling system]] capable of Level 4 security screening system. This system consists of four departure conveyors of a total length of 3,500 m and can handle 1,200 baggages per hour.<ref name="WorldInteriorDesignNetwork">{{cite web| title =Designs unveiled for new terminals at Chennai Airport in India| publisher =World Interior Design Network| date =31 January 2011| url =http://www.worldinteriordesignnetwork.com/news/designs_unveiled_for_new_terminals_at_chennai_airport_in_india_110131/| access-date =1 January 2012| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110908034118/http://www.worldinteriordesignnetwork.com/news/designs_unveiled_for_new_terminals_at_chennai_airport_in_india_110131/| archive-date =8 September 2011| df =dmy-all}}</ref>

The new terminal buildings measure more than {{convert|140000|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}. The new terminal buildings are expected to cater to 14 million more passengers per annum, including 4 million per annum at the international terminals. With the existing terminals handling 9 million, the airport will be able to handle 23 million passengers per annum after the integration<ref name="NewTerminalsByJune_DC"/> with 16 million in domestic and 7 million in the international terminal.<ref name="WorldInteriorDesignNetwork"/> After expansion, the aircraft movements in the airport is likely to increase at the rate of 5 to 7%. By 2020–21, the airport is expected to handle 700 movements a day.<ref name="RetailSpaceInNewTerminals"/> The new terminals are expected to clock between 72 and 75 green points of the total 100 for integrated inhabited assessment. The AAI has divided the building for land-side and air-side operations. The spaces are connected with a central security checkpoint for departure and there is a glass bridge on each side of the building for arriving passengers. On the roadside, the new terminals are connected with an elevated corridor, which will have approach and exit ramps.<ref name="NewTerminalsByJune_DC">{{cite news
| last = Sujatha
| first = S.
| title = New terminals likely by June next year
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| location = Chennai
| date = 23 December 2011
| url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/new-terminals-likely-june-next-year-772
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 11 November 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181111001337/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/new-terminals-likely-june-next-year-772
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The power requirement at the expanded airport is around 110 kV•A – more than three times the current needs.<ref name="BL_LackOfPowerSupply">{{cite news
| last = Kannan
| first = Swetha
| author2 = T. E. Raja Simhan
| title = Chennai airport opening may be delayed due to lack of power supply
| newspaper = Business Line
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Hindu
| date = 19 March 2012
| url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3013016.ece
| access-date = 6 January 2013
| archive-date = 2 July 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120702173705/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3013016.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> A new 11,000 kV sub-station has been built by the [[Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation]] (TANGEDCO) at the airport to serve the terminals, for which the power has been sourced from [[Kadapperi]] near [[Tambaram]].<ref name="Hindu_NewSubStation">{{cite news
| last = Oppili
| first = P.
| title = Sub-station holds key to new domestic terminal inauguration
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 14 March 2012
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article2992098.ece
| access-date = 6 January 2013
| archive-date = 7 July 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120707191152/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article2992098.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The retail space earmarked in the new international and domestic terminals is about 9,000 sq m, nearly thrice as much as the existing one.<ref name="RetailSpaceInNewTerminals"/>
;Accidents and Controversies
In recent years, there were many reported incidents of ceiling collapses and glass door and window breakages due to the poor quality and improper design of work during the recent modernisation of the airport terminals. The first incident happened on 13 May 2013 when 20 panels caved in near the security hold area due to heavy winds, followed by another incident on 11 August when 23 panels behind the check-in counters at the terminal crashed due to heavy condensation. The last reported incident of a ceiling collapse happened in late April 2015, bringing the total number of incidents to an abnormal 45. As on 11 August 2015, the number of incidents have reached 50 which has been a point of discussion in social networking sites.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Chennai Airport false ceiling collapse: airport police file FIR
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 4 October 2013
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-airport-false-ceiling-collapse-airport-police-file-fir/article5197905.ece
| access-date = 12 October 2013
| archive-date = 5 October 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131005174536/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-airport-false-ceiling-collapse-airport-police-file-fir/article5197905.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

===Cargo complex===
The Air Cargo Complex at the Chennai Airport was established in 1978, when all regulatory and facilitating agencies were brought under one roof for faster processing/clearance of international cargo, to cater for air cargo movement in the southern region. At the cargo terminal, AAI functions as ground handling agency for airlines for handling or processing their cargo on ground and acts as custodian on behalf of customs import/export cargo under the customs act of 1962. Spread over an area of 19.5 acres, the complex uses cargo-handling equipments such as elevated transfer vehicle, forklifts, high-mast stackers, and power hydraulic pallet trucks for handling cargo.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport"/> The covered area of the export wing of the complex is 20,595 sq m while that of the import wing is 20,090 sq m.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport_SalientFeatures">{{cite web
| title = Air Cargo Complex, Chennai Airport, Chennai—Salient Features
| publisher = Airports Authority of India
| url = http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_salientfeatures.jsp
| access-date = 5 January 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130801012245/http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_salientfeatures.jsp
| archive-date = 1 August 2013
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> The existing covered area of cargo terminal in occupation of AAI is 37,085 sq m.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport">{{cite web
| title = Air Cargo Complex, Chennai Airport, Chennai
| publisher = Airports Authority of India
| url = http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_overview.jsp
| access-date = 5 January 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130203082635/http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_overview.jsp
| archive-date = 3 February 2013
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> There are three ETV build-up/working stations and 18 manual build-up ETV loading positions at the complex.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport_SalientFeatures"/>

The cargo complex consists of two divisions, namely, the export and the import facilities. The export facility covers an area of 16,366 sq m and the import facility covers 16,500 sq m.<ref>{{cite web
|title = Cargo Information
|publisher = Airports Authority of India
|url = http://www.airportsindia.org.in/chennai/cargo_info.jsp
|access-date = 14 January 2012
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111229145041/http://www.airportsindia.org.in/chennai/cargo_info.jsp
|archive-date = 29 December 2011
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> The complex has an exclusive cargo apron which can accommodate three wide-bodied aircraft with ULD parking area and hydrant-refuelling facility at the bay.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport_SalientFeatures"/> The Customs department has appointed AAI and AI as the custodian at the complex. The import cargo of all the airlines is solely handled by AAI. The export cargo, on the other hand, is handled by AAI in respect of airlines handled by it while those of the rest of the airlines are handled by AI.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;background:#3dcd58; color:white"|'''Export area'''
|-
| Ground floor area || 5,200 sq m
|-
| First floor area (office) || 2,295 sq m
|-
| Truck dock position/area || 14 trucks (865 sq m)
|-
| Examination area || 770 sq m
|-
| Bonded area || 2,270 sq m
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;"|'''Import area'''
|-
| Total area || 20,090 sq m
|}

The available capacity and cargo handled at the terminal are listed below:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="text-align:left;background:#3dcd58; color:white"|'''Area'''
! style="text-align:left;background:#3dcd58; color:white"|'''Annual capacity (Tonnes)'''
! style="text-align:left;background:#3dcd58; color:white"|'''Annual tonnage (Tonnes)'''
|-
| Export General || 265,000 || 160,000
|-
| Import || 277,460 || 130,000
|-
| Total || 542,460 || 290,000
|}

The existing capacity of the air cargo complex is expected to meet the requirement till 2020. Phase III and IV of the new integrated cargo terminal with latest automated storage and retrieval system is under construction, enhancing the area from 35,920 sq m to 54,620 sq m.

The upcoming import cargo storage and processing facility would have a capacity to handle almost 800,000 tonnes of cargo annually from the existing 300,000 tonnes. The new complex will have an area of 58,000 sq m against the current area of 26,000 sq m. The conventional way of warehouse management will be replaced by [[automated storage and retrieval system]] (ASRS) The ASRS would have over 8,000 storage bins and each bin would have a capacity to store 1.3 to 1.5 tonnes of cargo in it. Apart from ASRS, the upcoming facilities would also have multiple temperature-controlled cold storages for perishable cargo,<ref name="MordenisationOfAirCargoComplex">{{cite news
| last = Oppili
| first = P.
| title = 75% of modernisation work over at air cargo complex
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 11 June 2011
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2094162.ece
| access-date = 23 January 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110612223555/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2094162.ece
| archive-date = 12 June 2011
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> with three chambers at 0 to 12 °C covering a total area of 445 sq m.<ref name="AAI_ACC_ChennaiAirport_PerishableCargo">{{cite web
| title = Air Cargo Complex, Chennai Airport, Chennai—Perishable Cargo
| publisher = Airports Authority of India
| url = http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_perishablecargo.jsp
| access-date = 5 January 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130801031817/http://www.aai.aero/cargo/chennai_perishablecargo.jsp
| archive-date = 1 August 2013
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> There would be three fully secured strong rooms for storage and processing of high value cargo, such as gems, jewellery, gold and silver, both in export and import together. The new facility would also have dedicated isolated storage locations for handling dangerous and hazardous cargo.<ref name="MordenisationOfAirCargoComplex"/>

In 2009, an integrated cargo complex was planned in the cargo complex of the airport. The complex would be constructed, at a cost of {{INR}}1,450 million, in 15 months. While the ground floor would measure 21,000 sq m, the first floor would be built on 12,100 sq m. The new building would be used exclusively for import activities. Once the civil works were completed, the ASRS would be installed. It would cost {{INR}}750 million.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Oppili
| first = P.
| title = Integrated cargo complex planned
| location = Chennai
| date = 21 January 2009
| url = http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/21/stories/2009012160271000.htm
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090123170248/http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/21/stories/2009012160271000.htm
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 23 January 2009
| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]
| access-date = 11 January 2022}}</ref>

===Air traffic control tower===
Chennai is the home to India's biggest air traffic control (ATC) centre.<ref name="air_traffic_control_centre">{{cite web| title =Air Traffic Needs an Upgrade as Developing Countries Become More Affluent, Fly More: Expert| publisher =Raytheon| date =10 July 2012| url =http://www.raytheon.com/media/fia12/atm/| access-date =26 December 2012| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130104032108/http://www.raytheon.com/media/fia12/atm/| archive-date =4 January 2013| df =dmy-all}}</ref> The ATC tower is located at the Air Traffic Services Complex. There are two [[radars]] in Chennai—the mono-pulse secondary surveillance radar at [[Porur]] and the Chennai Westing House (terminal) radar.<ref name="ChennaiATC_EntireSouthIndianSkies"/> Advance surface movement guidance and control system has been introduced in the ATC tower.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Vayalar Ravi inspects Air Traffic Control Tower at airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 2 October 2011
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2506030.ece
| access-date = 13 January 2012
| archive-date = 5 January 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120105023440/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2506030.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

As a first step towards integrating the entire airspace in the country, the automation system at the ATC in Chennai Airport was commissioned on 1 October 2011. The AAI has invested {{INR}}420 million for the Chennai automation system, which runs on Auto Track 3+, a sophisticated air traffic control automation system supplied and installed by US-based [[Raytheon Technologies]].<ref name="ChennaiATC_EntireSouthIndianSkies"/><ref name="SmartFlightGuidanceSystem">{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Airport on a smart flight guidance system
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 22 July 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/07/22&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00401&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 23 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614025901/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F07%2F22&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00401&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref> A new route radar at Porur has also been installed and the 13-year-old terminal radar at the airport will be replaced. With the automation system in place, all information regarding tower control, approach control, area control and oceanic control would be exchanged electronically in Chennai. It would ensure reliability, thereby enhancing safety of aircraft and passengers.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sujatha
| first = S.
| title = AAI to integrate entire air space
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| location = Chennai
| date = 30 September 2011
| url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/aai-integrate-entire-air-space-633
| access-date = 13 January 2012
| archive-date = 2 October 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111002084523/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/aai-integrate-entire-air-space-633
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last = Sinha
| first = Shishir
| author2 = Ashwini Phadnis
| title = Integrated air space management from Chennai today
| newspaper = Business Line
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Hindu
| date = 21 September 2011
| url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2473697.ece
| access-date = 13 January 2012
| archive-date = 27 September 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927214412/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2473697.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last = Kumaraswami
| first = Sridhar
| title = Chennai ATC to control traffic over 20,000 ft
| newspaper = The Asian Age
| location = Chennai
| publisher = AsianAge.com
| date = 15 September 2011
| url = http://www.asianage.com/india/chennai-atc-control-traffic-over-20000 ft-122
| access-date = 13 January 2012
| archive-date = 18 July 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190718033809/https://www.asianage.com/india/chennai-atc-control-traffic-over-20000%C2%A0ft-122
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

Chennai is among the four flight information centres in the country besides [[Mumbai]], [[Delhi]] and [[Kolkata]], and the Chennai ATC has [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Mangalore|Mangaluru]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]] and [[Bangalore]] under its control. Besides the two radars in Chennai, radar systems in Mangaluru, Bangalore, Bangalore HAL, Shamshabad (Hyderabad), [[Bellary]] and Thiruvananthapuram are included in the new system.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Oppili
| first = P.
| title = Testing of new air traffic control technology begins
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 26 May 2011
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2050300.ece
| access-date = 31 January 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110527160158/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2050300.ece
| archive-date = 27 May 2011
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> With the advanced integrated radar technology, ATC in Chennai now has the entire South Indian region on its radar screens, mainly co-ordinating flight movements above 26,000 to 46,000 ft.<ref name="ChennaiATC_EntireSouthIndianSkies">{{cite news
| last = Janardhanan
| first = Arun
| title = Chennai ATC enjoys the navigation of entire South Indian skies
| newspaper = The Times of India
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 29 September 2011
| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-ATC-enjoys-the-navigation-of-entire-South-Indian-skies/articleshow/10163937.cms
| access-date = 13 January 2012
| archive-date = 25 March 2014
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140325040341/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-ATC-enjoys-the-navigation-of-entire-South-Indian-skies/articleshow/10163937.cms
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

Following the [[Performance-based navigation]] system (PBN) and the air traffic control automation, in 2011, the AAI initiated a pilot project on a [[GNSS augmentation#Ground-based augmentation system|Ground-based augmentation system]] (GBAS), as part of implementing Gagan (Geo Augmented Navigation) in the country. There will be a set of 3–4 GPS satellites, one geo-synchronous satellite, GPS receivers at end of the runways, a ground station and a VHF data broadcast system. When the pilot project starts, Chennai Airport will be the first airport in the country to have the facility.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Soon, satellites to guide planes at airport
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 26 July 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/07/26&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 21 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614025200/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F07%2F26&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

===Runways===
[[File:Flughafen chennai view from st thomas mount.jpg|thumb|Runway 07/25 as seen from Saint Thomas Mount]]
Chennai Airport has two runways—the {{convert|3662|m|ft|abbr=on}} long primary runway No 07/25 (North-east – South-west orientation) and the {{convert|2925|m|ft|abbr=on}} long secondary runway No 12/30 (North-west – South-east orientation). Approach lights include CAT-1 category at runway 07 and CAT-1 type at runway 25 for 510 m. [[Precision Approach Path Indicator]] (PAPI)-type landing aids are available in all the runways.<ref name="AAI_AirportTechnicalInfo"/> Routine maintenance work of the primary runway is carried out twice a week—between 2.30 pm and 4.30 pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays.<ref name="RunwayOverRiverInNov"/>

Chennai Airport does not have rapid exit taxiways that help pilots to vacate a runway without slowing down the aircraft soon after landing. Planes such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8 will have to slow down completely to negotiate sharp turns on the taxiway. In 2011, AAI began work on upgrading the existing taxiways and parking bays at the airport to handle these jumbo planes.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Airport gets ready for jumbo planes
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 11 December 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/12/11&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00500&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614033759/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F12%2F11&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00500&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

The secondary runway, which was initially 2,035 m long, was closed in 2009 to extend it over the [[Adyar River]] by means of a bridge over the watercourse at a cost of {{INR}}4,300 million. Initially, 126.59 acres of land for second runway was handed over to the AAI. In March 2011, by acquiring 136 acres of land from the state government, AAI completed extension of the 2,035 m secondary runway by 1,400 m,<ref>{{cite news
| title = Runway across Adyar ready for day operation
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 20 November 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/11/20&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00404&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614024739/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F11%2F20&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00404&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref> whose commissioning, initially planned to be by November 2011, has been delayed as the approach lighting system has not been installed.<ref name="OnAWingAndAPrayer">{{cite news
| last = Sujatha
| first = S.
| title = On a wing and a prayer
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| location = Chennai
| date = 23 December 2011
| url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/wing-and-prayer-771
| access-date = 1 January 2012
| archive-date = 15 December 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181215172407/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/wing-and-prayer-771
| url-status = live
}}</ref> While the cost of extending the runway was projected to be about {{INR}}2,400 million, that of the bridge is almost {{INR}}2,300 million.<ref name="DNA_AirportUpgradation"/> A bridge has been constructed across the Adyar River to extend the secondary runway by a length of 1,400 m to a total length of 3,445 m, including 835 m on the northern side of the river.<ref name="WorkOnRunwayAcrossAdyarTakesOff">{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Work on runway across Adyar takes off
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 29 January 2009
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2009/01/29&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
| access-date = 11 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 March 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120314044013/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2009%2F01%2F29&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The bridge accommodates the runway and a taxiway, making Chennai Airport the only international airport in India to have a runway across a river.<ref>{{cite news| title =Chennai Airport will be the first to have a runway across the river| newspaper =Projects Info| publisher =ProjectsInfo.com| date =8 August 2011| url =http://www.projectsinfo.in/News.aspx?nId=uQTDGpEk8tjN3o/sOb8LKw| access-date =11 January 2022}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Citation
|title = Across the river
|url = http://www.projectsinfo.in/News.aspx?nId=uQTDGpEk8tjN3o/sOb8LKw
|access-date = 3 December 2011
}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In Mumbai, only an end of the runway is over Mithi River. When the AAI recommissions the secondary runway, Chennai Airport will join the league of airports with a functional runway across a river.<ref name="RunwayOverRiverInNov">{{cite news
| last = Ayyappan
| first = V.
| title = Runway over river to open in Nov
| newspaper = The Times of India epaper
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 15 October 2011
| url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/10/15&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00500&ViewMode=HTML
| access-date = 11 January 2012
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020207/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F10%2F15&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00500&ViewMode=HTML
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

[[File:Runway at Chennai airport (4446062960).jpg|250px|thumb|left|One of the two runways at the airport]]

With a new airport under consideration, the project for a parallel runway has been put on hold and the total land required for the airport expansion reduced from 1,069.99 acres to 800 acres.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Umapathi
| first = S.
| title = உள்நாட்டு முனையம் முதலில் திறப்பு சென்னை விமான நிலையத்தில் பணிகள் தீவிரம்
| newspaper = Dina Malar
| location = Chennai
| language = ta
| date = 4 January 2012
| url = http://www.dinamalar.com/district_detail.asp?id=379352
| access-date = 7 January 2012
| archive-date = 16 April 2014
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416184017/http://www.dinamalar.com/district_detail.asp?id=379352
| url-status = live
}}</ref> AAI planned to operate 2,400 m even after removing obstructions. About 2,085 m of the runway was earlier used for landing only smaller aircraft, like ATR types.<ref name="AirportCriesForSecondRunway">{{cite news
| title = Airport cries for second runway
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| publisher = Flash News Today
| date = 4 October 2011
| url = http://flashnewstoday.com/index.php/airport-cries-for-second-runway/
| access-date = 11 January 2012
| archive-date = 15 December 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181215123207/http://flashnewstoday.com/index.php/airport-cries-for-second-runway/
| url-status = live
}}</ref> In February 2012, airport authorities announced that only about 2,160 m of the secondary runway would be operational as there will be 330 m permanent displacement at GST road side and 780 m displacement at the other end. This restricted length would be enough to operate Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft without load penalty.<ref name="DC_SecondRunwayInTheOffing">{{cite news
| title = Chennai airport: Second runway in the offing
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| date = 11 February 2012
| url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/chennai-airport-second-runway-offing-985
| access-date = 11 February 2012
| archive-date = 12 February 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120212160542/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/chennai-airport-second-runway-offing-985
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Bad planning by the airport authorities, which has resulted in the removal of the very-high-frequency omni range equipment (VOR) from its original location where a link way has been constructed between the main and the secondary runways, has been considered the reason behind the delay.<ref name="IBNLIve_RunwayRunIntoHassles">{{cite news
| title = Secondary runway run into hassles
| newspaper = IBN Live
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Express News Service
| date = 13 March 2012
| url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/secondary-runway-run-into-hassles/238298-60-120.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416184604/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/secondary-runway-run-into-hassles/238298-60-120.html
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 16 April 2014
| access-date = 6 January 2022}}</ref>

The present runway occupancy time at the airport (the time an aircraft spends on the runway) is around 70 seconds. By October 2018, the runway occupancy time will be reduced to 60 seconds, with the completion of the ongoing runway development works.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Main runway to be shut for six hours a day till October
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| page = 3
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 27 August 2018
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/main-runway-to-be-shut-for-six-hours-a-day-till-october/article24787533.ece
| access-date = 2 September 2018
| archive-date = 7 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200207105131/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/main-runway-to-be-shut-for-six-hours-a-day-till-october/article24787533.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

In 2018, the airport acquired 151 acres for expansion works from neighbouring areas including Kolappakkam, Manappakkam, [[St. Thomas Mount]] and [[Cowl Bazaar]]. Expansion works includes installation of simple approach lighting systems for secondary runway, construction of hangars and parallel taxi track for the airport, fuel farm, installation of CAT 1 approach lighting system for the main runway, and a wide-aperture localiser antenna.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sunitha
| first = Sekar
| title = AAI to acquire 151 acres for Chennai airport expansion
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| page = 3
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 24 January 2018
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-to-acquire-151-acres-for-chennai-airport-expansion/article22501654.ece
| access-date = 20 October 2018
| archive-date = 10 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200210005242/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aai-to-acquire-151-acres-for-chennai-airport-expansion/article22501654.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

===Passenger vehicle parking===

As of 2018, the existing parking lot at the airport can accommodate 1,200 cars.<ref name="Hindu_MultilevelCarPark"/> In June 2018, an {{INR}}2,500-million multi-level car park with a capacity to accommodate 2,237 cars was planned at both ends of the [[Chennai International Airport metro station|Airport Metro Rail station]] in front of the airport on a 4.25-acre plot.<ref name="MultiLevelParking"/><ref name="Hindu_MultilevelCarPark"/><ref>{{cite news
| last = Simhan
| first = T. E. Raja
| title = 50 companies evince interest in new multilevel car park at Chennai airport
| newspaper = The Hindu Business Line
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 3 January 2018
| url = https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/50-companies-evince-interest-in-new-multilevel-car-park-at-chennai-airport/article10010238.ece
| access-date = 17 October 2018
| archive-date = 12 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200212163340/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/50-companies-evince-interest-in-new-multilevel-car-park-at-chennai-airport/article10010238.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> It will have a built-up area of one million square feet and will be 27 metres tall with six levels. In addition, a 250,000-square-feet mall will be built by the Olympia Group and [[Larsen & Toubro]] in 18 months.<ref name="Hindu_MultilevelCarPark">{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = Multi-level car park to be built at Chennai airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| page = 3
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 15 June 2018
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/multi-level-car-park-to-be-built-at-chennai-airport/article24167331.ece
| access-date = 17 October 2018
| archive-date = 15 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200215061851/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/multi-level-car-park-to-be-built-at-chennai-airport/article24167331.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The mall will have a 238,100-square-feet cinema multiplex and a 35,678-square-feet 59-key transit hotel facility.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Shivakumar
| first = C.
| title = Airport to house multiplex with multi-level car parking
| newspaper = The Indian Express
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Express Publications
| date = 7 September 2018
| url = http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/sep/07/airport-to-house-multiplex-with-multi-level-car-parking-1868685.html
| access-date = 17 October 2018
| archive-date = 17 October 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181017123905/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/sep/07/airport-to-house-multiplex-with-multi-level-car-parking-1868685.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The parking facility will be connected to the travelator linking the international and domestic terminals. Construction began in March 2019 and was completed in December 2021 after several delays due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]] impact.<ref name="MultiLevelParking">{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = Multi-level parking facility soon at airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| page = 2
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 13 March 2019
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/multi-level-parking-facility-soon-at-airport/article26515854.ece
| access-date = 1 May 2019
| archive-date = 28 January 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200128081156/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/multi-level-parking-facility-soon-at-airport/article26515854.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name="MultiLevelParking2">{{cite news
| title = Take off delayed for multi-level parking lot at Chennai airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 11 December 2021
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/take-off-delayed-for-multi-level-parking-lot-at-chennai-airport/article37934924.ece
}}</ref> It is expected to open in July 2022 after going through a trial run.<ref name="MultiLevelParking3">{{cite news
| title = Opening of Chennai airport's parking lot put off yet again
| newspaper = The Hindu
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| author = Sunitha Sekar
| date = 29 May 2022
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/opening-of-chennai-airports-parking-lot-put-off-yet-again/article65473057.ece
}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations==
Domestic flights operate from Terminal 1, international departures operate from Terminal 4, while the older Terminal 3 is used for international arrivals. The old terminal at Meenambakkam is used for cargo operations.

===Passenger===

{{Airport-dest-list

|{{nowrap|[[Air Arabia]]}}| [[Sharjah International Airport|Sharjah]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airarabia.com/en/destinations|title=Destinations|publisher=[[Air Arabia]]|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[Air Arabia Abu Dhabi]]}} | [[Abu Dhabi International Airport|Abu Dhabi]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://press.airarabia.com/air-arabia-abu-dhabi-starts-new-route-to-chennai/|title=Air Arabia Abu Dhabi starts new route to Chennai|publisher=[[Air Arabia]]|access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[AirAsia]]}}| [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bodell |first1=Luke |title=AirAsia Signals Return Of India To Malaysia & Thailand Flights |url=https://simpleflying.com/airasia-india-to-thailand-malaysia-flights/ |website=Simple Flying |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[AirAsia India]]}}| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|Guwahati]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/Air%20Asia_DSS2022.pdf&main4201/4200/servicename}}</ref> [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]

|[[Air Austral]]|[[Roland Garros Airport|Saint-Denis de la Réunion]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wowidays.in/news/4120/Air-Austral-to-resume-Reunion-Island-Chennai-flights-on-May-6|title= Air Austral to resume Reunion Island-Chennai Flights From May 6 2022}}</ref>

|[[Air France]]| [[Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris–Charles de Gaulle]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airfrance.in/IN/en/common/page_flottante/information/programme-ete-air-france.htm|title=Air France schedule|website=Air France|publisher=Air France-KLM|location=Paris|access-date=6 December 2021}}</ref>

|[[Air India]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Coimbatore International Airport|Coimbatore]], [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai–International]], [[Dabolim Airport|Goa–Dabolim]], [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Cochin International Airport|Kochi]], [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]], [[Kuwait International Airport|Kuwait City]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/Air%20India_DSS2022.pdf&main4201/4200/servicename|title=Air India Schedule.|access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref> [[Madurai Airport|Madurai]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]], [[Veer Savarkar International Airport|Port Blair]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airindia.in/Singapore-VTL-Flights-Alert.htm|title=Vaccinated Travel Lane Flights|website=Air India|publisher=Tata Group}}</ref>

|[[Air India Express]]| [[Sharjah International Airport|Sharjah]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/Air%20India_DSS2022.pdf&main4201/4200/servicename|title=Air India Schedule.|access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref> [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/Air%20India_DSS2022.pdf&main4201/4200/servicename|title=Air India Schedule.|access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref>

|[[Akasa Air]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Akasa Air starts its flight operations from Chennai, to connect Bengaluru and Mumbai|url=https://zeenews.india.com/aviation/akasa-air-starts-its-flight-operations-from-chennai-to-connect-bengaluru-and-mumbai-2508307.html/amp|work=Zee News|date=10 September 2022|access-date=10 September 2022|language=en}}</ref> [[Cochin International Airport|Kochi]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Akasa Air Flight Network|url=https://www.akasaair.com/fly-with-akasa/flight-schedule|website=Akasa Air|access-date=9 September 2022}}</ref> [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Akasa Air to launch daily flights on Chennai-Mumbai route from September 15|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/business/india-business/akasa-air-to-launch-daily-flights-on-chennai-mumbai-route-from-september-15/amp_articleshow/93305687.cms|work=The Times of India|date=2 August 2022|access-date=3 August 2022|language=en}}</ref>

|[[Alliance Air (India)|Alliance Air]]| [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://allianceair.in/schedule | title=Alliance Air }}</ref> [[Jaffna International Airport|Jaffna]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ArenaJet/status/1600514380067749888|title=Alliance Air resumes service between Chennai and Jaffna|access-date=7 December 2022}}</ref> [[Mysore Airport|Mysore]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chennai/new-flights-on-chennai-mysore-route-launched/amp_articleshow/93532662.cms|work=Times of India|access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref>

|[[British Airways]] | [[Heathrow Airport|London–Heathrow]]<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2021/09/02/british-airways-resumes-flights-between-chennai-and-london/| title=British Airways resumes flights between Chennai and London|magazine=Business Traveller India|location=Mumbai|publisher=Panacea Publishing Pte Ltd| date=2 September 2021}}</ref>

|[[Cathay Pacific]]| [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]]

|[[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]]| [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai–International]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/destinations/flights-to-chennai.aspx?i=1669564&n=chennai&c=MAA&ai=1669565&ci=1669562&ac=MAA&t=city|title=Flights to chennai (MAA)|publisher=The Emirates Group|location=Dubai}}</ref>

|[[Ethiopian Airlines]]| [[Addis Ababa Bole International Airport|Addis Ababa]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Phadnis |first1=Aneesh |title=Ethiopian Airlines to boost India flights, eyes higher traffic from BRICS |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/ethiopian-airlines-to-boost-india-flights-eyes-higher-traffic-from-brics-122042900245_1.html |access-date=2 May 2022 |newspaper=Business Standard|location=New Delhi|publisher=aBP Group|date=29 April 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[Etihad Airways]]}} | [[Abu Dhabi International Airport|Abu Dhabi]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.india.com/travel/articles/international-flights-latest-news-today-6-august-2021-etihad-airways-announces-flight-schedule-from-chennai-kochi-bengaluru-trivandrum-new-delhi-to-start-operation-from-tomorrow-air-travel-latest-4870201| title=Etihad Airways Announces Services From 5 Indian Cities| date=7 August 2021}}</ref>

| [[flydubai]] | [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai–International]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Flydubai Resumption of Flights|url=https://www.flydubai.com/en/plan/covid-19/resumption-of-flights|access-date=1 December 2021|publisher=Flydubai|location=Dubai}}</ref>

|[[Go First (airline)|Go First]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Budget airline GoAir rebrands as Go First|url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/budget-airline-goair-rebrands-as-go-first/article34552775.ece|access-date=16 May 2021|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516134529/https://www.thehindu.com/business/budget-airline-goair-rebrands-as-go-first/article34552775.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>| [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]], [[Veer Savarkar International Airport|Port Blair]]

|{{nowrap|[[Gulf Air]]}}| [[Bahrain International Airport|Bahrain]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gulfair.com/flights/flights-timetable|title=Gulf Air schedule|access-date=26 March 2022}}</ref>

|[[IndiGo]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goindigo.in/information/route-map.html|title=Indigo schedule}}</ref>| [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport|Ahmedabad]], [[Bagdogra Airport|Bagdogra]],<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.goindigo.in/information/new-flights.html|title=New Flights Information, Status & Schedule | IndiGo|website=www.goindigo.in|access-date=16 May 2018|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331083931/https://www.goindigo.in/information/new-flights.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Biju Patnaik Airport|Bhubaneswar]], [[Chandigarh Airport|Chandigarh]], [[Coimbatore International Airport|Coimbatore]], [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport|Dhaka]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ChennaiFlights/status/1571185077127901184}}</ref> [[Hamad International Airport|Doha]], [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai–International]], [[Dabolim Airport|Goa–Dabolim]], [[Mopa Airport|Goa–Mopa]] (begins 5 January 2023),<ref>{{cite news|title=IndiGo’s largest ever new station launch at New Goa International Airport|url=https://www.goindigo.in/press-releases/indigo-largest-ever-new-station-launch-at-new-goa-international-airport.html|work=IndiGo|date=9 December 2022|access-date=10 December 2022|language=en}}</ref> [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|Guwahati]], [[Hubli Airport|Hubli]], [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport|Indore]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/Indigo__DWS2022.pdf&main4201/4200/servicename}}</ref> [[Jaipur International Airport|Jaipur]], [[Jodhpur Airport|Jodhpur]], [[Kadapa Airport|Kadapa]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/amp/andhra-pradesh/indigo-to-start-flight-services-from-kadapa-to-vijayawada-and-chennai-from-march-27-727323|title=Indigo to start flight services from Kadapa to Vijayawada and Chennai from March 27|access-date=23 February 2022}}</ref> [[Kannur International Airport|Kannur]], [[Cochin International Airport|Kochi]], [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]], [[Calicut International Airport|Kozhikode]], [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]], [[Kurnool Airport|Kurnool]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/indigo-flights-from-kurnool-to-begin-on-march-28/article33702271.ece|title=IndiGo flights from Kurnool to begin on March 28|work=The Hindu|date=30 January 2021|access-date=30 January 2021|last1=Susarla|first1=Ramesh|archive-date=30 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130075338/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/indigo-flights-from-kurnool-to-begin-on-march-28/article33702271.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport|Lucknow]], [[Madurai Airport|Madurai]], [[Mangalore International Airport|Mangaluru]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]],<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=https://www.goindigo.in/information/new-flights.html|title=New Flight Status And Schedule-Indigo|access-date=23 March 2021|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331083931/https://www.goindigo.in/information/new-flights.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport|Nagpur]], [[Jay Prakash Narayan Airport|Patna]], [[Veer Savarkar International Airport|Port Blair]], [[Pune Airport|Pune]], [[Raipur Airport|Raipur]],<ref name=autogenerated1 /> [[Rajahmundry Airport|Rajahmundry]], [[Birsa Munda Airport|Ranchi]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jagran.com/jharkhand/ranchi-birsa-munda-airport-news-air-services-starting-from-ranchi-to-chennai-from-18-november-21065493.html|title=Jharkhand: हवाई यात्रियों को एक और तोहफा, रांची से चेन्नई के लिए 18 से शुरू हो रही विमान सेवा|website=Dainik Jagran|access-date=6 January 2021|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204135618/https://www.jagran.com/jharkhand/ranchi-birsa-munda-airport-news-air-services-starting-from-ranchi-to-chennai-from-18-november-21065493.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> [[Shirdi Airport|Shirdi]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]], [[Surat Airport|Surat]], [[Thiruvananthapuram International Airport|Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Tiruchirappalli International Airport|Tiruchirappalli]], [[Tuticorin Airport|Tuticorin]], [[Vadodara Airport|Vadodara]],<ref name="auto"/> [[Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport|Varanasi]], [[Vijayawada Airport|Vijayawada]], [[Visakhapatnam Airport|Visakhapatnam]]

|{{nowrap|[[Jazeera Airways]]}}| [[Kuwait International Airport|Kuwait City]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jazeeraairways.com/en-in/plan/getting-to-the-airport/flight-schedules|title=Jazeera Airways Flight Schedule|publisher=[[Jazeera Airways]]|access-date=14 March 2022}}</ref>

|[[Kuwait Airways]] | [[Kuwait International Airport|Kuwait City]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jazeeraairways.com/en-kw/flights|title=Destinations|publisher=[[Kuwait Airways]]|access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref>

|[[Lufthansa]] | [[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]]<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Lufthansa India|user=Lufthansa_India|number=1506535101756162048|title=Chennai-Frankfurt flights are back,beginning thrice-weekly effective 29th April 2022.|date=23 March 2022|access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref>

|[[Malaysia Airlines]]| [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Karp |first1=Aaron |title=Malaysia Airlines Reboots International Network |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/297780/malaysia-airlines-reboots-international-network/ |website=Routesonline |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref>

|[[Oman Air]]| [[Muscat International Airport|Muscat]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.omanair.com/gbl/en/TravelAdvice/flight-resumption-updates|title=Flight Resumption from Muscat|publisher=[[Oman Air]]|access-date=6 December 2021}}</ref>

|[[Qatar Airways]]| [[Hamad International Airport|Doha]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airlineroutemaps.com/maps/Qatar_Airways/Asia_Australia|title=Qatar Airways Route Map|access-date=7 December 2021}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[Singapore Airlines]]}}|[[Changi Airport|Singapore]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/singapore-airlines-to-redeploy-airbus-a380-superjumbo-to-india-from-january-351467| title=Singapore Airlines to redeploy Airbus A380 Superjumbo to India from January| work=The Tribune| date=17 December 2021}}</ref>

|[[SpiceJet]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]],<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://www.spicejet.com/Schedules.aspx|title=SpiceJet's Flights Schedule and Information for domestic and international flights.|access-date=7 March 2021|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910164702/https://www.spicejet.com/Schedules.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]] (resumes 23 December 2022),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221205-sgdec22intl|title=SPICEJET RESUMES CHENNAI – BANGKOK SERVICE IN LATE-DEC 2022|work=Aeroroutes|accessdate=5 December 2022}}</ref> [[Bandaranaike International Airport|Colombo–Bandaranaike]], [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport|Durgapur]], [[Dabolim Airport|Goa–Dabolim]], [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|Guwahati]], [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]], [[Veer Savarkar International Airport|Port Blair]], [[Pune Airport|Pune]], [[Shirdi Airport|Shirdi]], [[Visakhapatnam Airport|Visakhapatnam]]

|[[SriLankan Airlines]]| [[Bandaranaike International Airport|Colombo–Bandaranaike]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/plan-and-book/flight-routes|title=Route Map|publisher=[[SriLankan Airlines]]|access-date=2 February 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[Thai AirAsia]]}}| [[Don Mueang International Airport|Bangkok–Don Mueang]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsroom.airasia.com/news/airasia-resuming-flights-to-7-countries-on-18-routes-this-april-fly-easy-with-no-quarantine-needed|title=AirAsia Resumes Flights to Seven Countries on 18 Routes this April! Fly Easy with No Quarantine|access-date=26 March 2022}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[Thai Airways International]]}}| [[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2197755/thai-airways-to-resume-international-services |title=Thai Airways to resume international services|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>

|{{nowrap|[[US-Bangla Airlines]]}}| [[Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport|Dhaka]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/nrb/departure-arrival/airlines-more/news/us-bangla-increase-flights-dhaka-chennai-dhaka-male-routes-2978381|title=US-Bangla to increase flights on Dhaka-Chennai, Dhaka-Male routes|date=8 March 2022 }}</ref>

|[[Vistara]]| [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]

}}

===Cargo===
{{Airport-dest-list
|[[Blue Dart Aviation]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/bz-bda/routes|title=Blue Dart flights from Chennai|access-date=27 October 2021|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027165250/https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/bz-bda/routes|url-status=live}}</ref>

|[[Cathay Pacific Cargo]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/cx-cpa/routes|title=CX flights from MAA|access-date=27 October 2021|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027165317/https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/cx-cpa/routes|url-status=live}}</ref>

|[[Ethiopian Airlines|Ethiopian Airlines Cargo]]|[[Addis Ababa Bole International Airport|Addis Ababa]], [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]]

|[[Etihad Cargo]]|[[Abu Dhabi International Airport|Abu Dhabi]], [[Shanghai Pudong International Airport|Shanghai–Pudong]]<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://aviationsourcenews.com/airline/etihad-cargo-expands-operations-in-china-and-india-with-shanghai-chennai-direct/}}</ref>

|[[Hong Kong Airlines]]|[[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]], [[Bandaranaike International Airport|Colombo–Bandaranaike]]

|[[Lufthansa Cargo]]|[[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]]

|[[MASkargo]]|[[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]]

|[[National Airlines (N8)|National Airlines]]|[[Chicago Rockford International Airport|Chicago/Rockford]], [[Munich Airport|Munich]]

|[[Qatar Airways Cargo]]|[[Hamad International Airport|Doha]]

|[[SF Airlines]]|[[Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport|Shenzhen]]

|[[Sichuan Airlines]]|[[Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport|Chengdu–Shuangliu]], [[Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport|Chongqing]]

|[[Singapore Airlines Cargo]]|[[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/sq-sia/routes|title= SQC flights from MAA|access-date=28 October 2021}}</ref>

|[[SpiceJet|SpiceXpress]]|[[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]], [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/gmr-hyderabad-international-airport-adds-new-domestic-freighter-service/|title=GMR Hyderabad International Airport adds new domestic freighter service|access-date=28 January 2022}}</ref> [[Changi Airport|Singapore]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Spicejet introduces scheduled freighter services to Singapore |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2021/02/25/spicejet-introduces-scheduled-freighter-services-to-singapore/ |website=Business Traveller |publisher=Business Traveller India |date=25 February 2021 |access-date=27 February 2021 |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521165253/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2021/02/25/spicejet-introduces-scheduled-freighter-services-to-singapore/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Surat Airport|Surat]], [[Visakhapatnam Airport|Visakhapatnam]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Spicejet introduces dedicated freighter services from Chennai & Vizag to Surat & Kolkata/Durgapur from 26th Feb 2020 |url=https://twitter.com/flyspicejet/status/1230837819469221888 |access-date=21 February 2020 |date=21 February 2020 |language=en |archive-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221125905/https://twitter.com/flyspicejet/status/1230837819469221888 |url-status=live }}</ref>

|[[YTO Cargo Airlines]]|[[Kunming Changshui International Airport|Kunming]]

|[[Turkish Cargo]]|[[Bandaranaike International Airport|Colombo–Bandaranaike]], [[Al Maktoum International Airport|Dubai–Al Maktoum]], [[Istanbul Airport|Istanbul]]}}


==Statistics==
{{Airport-Statistics|iata=MAA}}

==Fixed-base operators==
===Flight kitchen and caterers===
TajSATS, a joint-venture of the [[Indian Hotels Company]] and [[Singapore Airport Terminal Services|SATS]] (formerly known as Singapore Airport Terminal Services) provides in-flight catering at Chennai Airport. TajSATS adheres to ISO 22000:2005 standards and achieved Halal Certification. It also manages airport lounges in Chennai and Mumbai airports.<ref name="TajSATS_CompanyProfile"/> The airline lounges at Chennai Airport include Maharaja Lounge at the international terminal and the Indian Airlines Lounge at the domestic terminal.<ref name="TajSATS_AirlineLounges">{{cite web
|title = Airline Lounges
|publisher = TajSATS Air Catering
|url = http://www.tajsats.com/srv_services_lounges.htm
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131207203238/http://tajsats.com/srv_services_lounges.htm
|archive-date = 7 December 2013
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> The Taj Madras Flight Kitchen, a joint-venture of the Indian Hotels, SATS and [[Malaysia Airlines]] started in 1994,<ref>{{cite news
| title = Indian Hotels Company Ltd.—Company History
| newspaper = The Economic Times
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = n.d.
| url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/indian-hotels-company-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-13586.cms
| access-date = 5 January 2013
| archive-date = 10 May 2014
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140510060834/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/indian-hotels-company-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-13586.cms
| url-status = live
}}</ref> is situated at [[Grand Southern Trunk Road|GST Road]], [[Pallavaram]], and operates airport restaurants at the airport.<ref name="TajSATS_CompanyProfile">{{cite web
|title = Company Profile
|publisher = TajSATS Air Catering
|url = http://www.tajsats.com/abt_profile.htm
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120322022828/http://www.tajsats.com/abt_profile.htm
|archive-date = 22 March 2012
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> The Taj Madras Flight Kitchen also has a multi-cuisine restaurant with a full-fledged bar named 'Flights of Fancy' at the airport serving snacks and refreshments.<ref name="TajSATS_AirportRestaurant">{{cite web
|title = Airport Restaurant
|publisher = TajSATS Air Catering
|url = http://www.tajsats.com/srv_services_restaurant.htm
|access-date = 5 January 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140106185307/http://www.tajsats.com/srv_services_restaurant.htm
|archive-date = 6 January 2014
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref>

===MRO hangar facility===
In 2008, [[Kingfisher Red|Simplifly Deccan]] opened a US$2.9 million maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hangar at Chennai International Airport. The 70,000 sq ft facility can handle one A320 or two ATR aircraft and provides basic- and medium-level maintenance checks and protective storage for Deccan and [[Kingfisher Airlines]] aircraft and functions as a repair shop and assembly area. The hangar, which took nearly two years to build, has a total construction area of 3,200 sq m. The maintenance hall spans 46 m wide, 54 m deep and 17 m high. The hangar has space for one Airbus A320 and 2 ATR aircraft at one time. It is equipped with an engineering and training facility and an engineering maintenance conference room.<ref>{{cite news|title = Deccan opens MRO hangar at Chennai Airport|newspaper = India Aviation|publisher = Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation|date = 22 January 2008|url = http://indiaaviation.aero/news/airline/6900/59/Deccan-opens-MRO-hangar-at-Chennai-Airport|access-date = 7 January 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231815/http://indiaaviation.aero/news/airline/6900/59/Deccan-opens-MRO-hangar-at-Chennai-Airport|archive-date = 25 April 2012|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

===Duty-free shops===
The airport houses many duty-free shops and restaurants in its lobby. The authority is planning to open more shops in the premises. It is said that around 18,500 sq ft of space is available for shops. Recently, Flemingo International, Dubai was given the contract to open duty-free shops in both the International and Domestic terminals.<ref name="Duty-free shops">{{cite news
| title = Flemingo to run duty-free shops at nine airports
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 22 January 2016
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/business/flemingo-to-run-dutyfree-shops-at-nine-airports/article8137857.ece
| access-date = 8 February 2016
| archive-date = 27 October 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211027165253/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/business/Flemingo-to-run-duty-free-shops-at-nine-airports/article14013008.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name="Airportshops">{{cite news
| title = Airports Authority of India wants modern stalls at terminals, companies not keen
| location = Chennai
| date = 9 October 2012
| url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-09/chennai/34342172_1_duty-free-shops-duty-free-outlets-aai
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130127232318/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-09/chennai/34342172_1_duty-free-shops-duty-free-outlets-aai
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 27 January 2013
| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
| access-date = 26 December 2022}}</ref>

==Connectivity==
[[File:Chennai metro map.png|thumb|Layout of the [[Chennai Metro]]]]
The airport is situated on the [[Grand Southern Trunk Road]] (National Highway 32), a major national highway connecting several cities within the state. The airport is served by [[Tirusulam (Chennai Suburban Railway)|Tirusulam railway station]] on the [[Chennai suburban railway|Suburban railway network]]. Airport prepaid taxis are available round the clock, with moderate fares fixed by the government. The [[Chennai International Airport metro station|airport metro station]] of the [[Chennai Metro]] connects the airport to other parts of the city, making it the second airport in India to be connected to a metro system.<ref name="Hindu_WorkOnStationBegin">{{cite news | last = Sridhar | first = Asha | title = Work on airport metro station to begin soon | newspaper = The Hindu | location = Chennai | date = 24 May 2012 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3449812.ece | access-date = 9 November 2012 | archive-date = 28 July 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120728033617/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3449812.ece | url-status = live }}</ref> Shuttle services between the metro station and the terminals are provided for the passengers.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-Battery-cars-to-shuttle-between-metro-airport/articleshow/54635390.cms |title=Chennai: Battery cars to shuttle between metro, airport |work=The Times of India |date=2 October 2016 |access-date=14 October 2016 |archive-date=5 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005092102/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-Battery-cars-to-shuttle-between-metro-airport/articleshow/54635390.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> In future, the concourse of the metro station will be linked to the passenger terminals by means of a connector tube connecting the metro station to the flyover at the terminals, so that passengers alighting from the train can go to the departure area of the airport terminals without coming out of the station building.<ref>{{cite news | last = Ayyappan | first = V. | title = AAI and CMRL firmed up to build the airport metro station | location = Chennai | date = 9 March 2012| url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-09/chennai/31139420_1_metro-station-cmrl-passenger-terminals | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130216070034/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-09/chennai/31139420_1_metro-station-cmrl-passenger-terminals | url-status = dead | archive-date = 16 February 2013 | newspaper = [[The Times of India]] | access-date = 6 January 2022}}</ref> The Tirusulam suburban train station will also be integrated with the metro station and the airport.<ref>{{cite news | last = Janardhanan | first = Arun | title = Corridor to connect airport with stations | newspaper = The Times of India epaper | location = Chennai | publisher = The Times Group | date = 23 September 2011 | url = http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/09/23&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00202&ViewMode=HTML | access-date = 13 January 2012 | archive-date = 22 June 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170622120656/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2011%2F09%2F23&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00202&ViewMode=HTML | url-status = live }}</ref> A [[Chennai Airport Flyover|flyover at the entrance]] of the airport helps the traffic on GST road bypass the entrance. The [[Kathipara Junction|Kathipara grade-separator]] at Guindy facilitates the traffic flowing from the city centre onto the airport side.

In 2018, a 600-meter-long travelator connecting the terminals was opened at a cost of {{INR}}800 million.<ref>{{cite news | title = Travelator ready, but open to public only from 14 April | newspaper = The Hindu | location = Chennai | publisher = Kasturi & Sons | date = 26 March 2018 | url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/travelator-ready-but-open-to-public-only-from-april-14/article23352530.ece | access-date = 8 August 2018 | archive-date = 26 March 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180326143232/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/travelator-ready-but-open-to-public-only-from-april-14/article23352530.ece | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Greenery==
A vertical garden was constructed in the terminals at a cost of {{INR}}400 million. The garden has about 40 different varieties of plants. The garden is visible from the terminals and also the connecting tube that links the landside to the airside (the area closer to the runway). The garden is watered using the [[drip irrigation]] method.<ref name="Hindu_VerticalGardenToBeRevived">{{Cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = Vertical garden at airport to be revived
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 27 June 2017
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/vertical-garden-at-airport-to-be-revived/article19151313.ece
| access-date = 2 July 2017
| archive-date = 13 December 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191213185024/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/vertical-garden-at-airport-to-be-revived/article19151313.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

==Future expansion==
===Expansion of present airport===
An integrated simulator will be installed at Chennai Airport, which will be the first of its kind in the country, at a cost of {{INR}}200 million. The equipment will be set up at the Air Traffic Services complex.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Chennai Airport to get Rs 200 million ATC Simulator
| newspaper = The New Indian Express
| publisher = IBN Live
| date = 26 October 2011
| url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chennai-airport-to-get-rs-20-crore-atc-simulator/196174-60-120.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416183056/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chennai-airport-to-get-rs-20-crore-atc-simulator/196174-60-120.html
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 16 April 2014
| access-date = 10 January 2022}}</ref>

In January 2018, a satellite terminal near the second runway was planned to be built in 3 years.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Satellite terminal: AAI to start work in 3 years
| newspaper = The Times of India
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 18 January 2018
| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/satellite-terminal-aai-to-start-work-in-3-years/articleshow/62546283.cms
| access-date = 11 February 2018
| archive-date = 12 February 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083218/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/satellite-terminal-aai-to-start-work-in-3-years/articleshow/62546283.cms
| url-status = live
}}</ref> A 1.5 km tunnel to connect the satellite terminal with the main buildings has been planned at a cost of {{INR}}7,000 million. This tunnel will run at a depth of 10.5 feet below the ground.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = City airport to have tunnel to connect to satellite terminal
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 10 January 2018
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/city-airport-to-have-tunnel-to-connect-to-satellite-terminal/article22407726.ece
| access-date = 11 February 2018
| archive-date = 29 January 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180129091807/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/city-airport-to-have-tunnel-to-connect-to-satellite-terminal/article22407726.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

Following the {{INR}}23,000 million phase I expansion that began in 2007 and completed in 2013, the phase II expansion comes at a cost of {{INR}}25,870 million is expected to begin in 2018, aimed to be completed in 42 months by September 2021. This will expand the area to 160,000 m2, with a capacity of 35 million passengers, up from the existing capacity of 18 million. With the completion, the new building will serve as the sole integrated terminal alongside the existing newer domestic and international terminals.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sekar
| first = Sunitha
| title = Airport's Phase II expansion set to take off
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 8 January 2018
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/airports-phase-ii-expansion-set-to-take-off/article22392935.ece
| access-date = 11 February 2018
| archive-date = 9 April 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180409114331/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/airports-phase-ii-expansion-set-to-take-off/article22392935.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

As of July 2018, the AAI had acquired 130 acres of land for the expansion of the present airport, and acquisition of another 101 acres of land is in progress.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Ramakrishnan
| first = T.
| title = Expansion of airports hits stride
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 19 July 2018
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/expansion-of-airports-hits-stride/article24455370.ece
| access-date = 22 July 2018
| archive-date = 4 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200204133358/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/expansion-of-airports-hits-stride/article24455370.ece
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

Construction of the new integrated terminal is under progress and completion is expected by December 2022, which was delayed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Commission will be done in two phases, the primary at June 2021. Automatic boarding, additional food courts, expansive baggage claim and arrival area, extra greenery, and state-of-the-art architecture designs are features of the new terminal. Officials say with this they will be able to surpass the present service rank of the airport, which was lacked in poor maintenance, both nationally and internationally.

The airport lagged in star ratings a lot behind other comparative major airports like [[Bangalore]], [[Kolkata]], and [[Hyderabad]] in [[Skytrax]] Airport Awards and other reviews due to its insufficient terminal space and sanitization facilities at restrooms.

===New greenfield airport at Parandur===

In 2012, the feasibility report of the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO), suggested that a second airport for the city could come up on {{convert|5000|acre}} at [[Sriperumbudur]], was submitted to the state government. The four-runway second airport is proposed to be built on 4,823 acres near Sriperumbudur, southwest of Chennai, at an estimated cost of {{INR}}35,000 million in the first phase and Second phase has not been disclosed.<ref>{{cite news | last=Oppili | first=P. | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2334267.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=State government has to decide on second airport for Chennai: AAI | date=8 August 2011 | access-date=11 January 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911032508/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2334267.ece | archive-date=11 September 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref> To be built in two phases, the anticipated expenditure for phase I of the project is {{INR}}40,000 million with an 87,000 sq m terminal along with a parking space for 750 vehicles. The second phase involves 1,50,000 sq m of terminal and enhancing parking space to accommodate 1,500 vehicles at an investment of {{INR}}14,750 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Greenfield Airport plan on fast track |newspaper=The New Indian Express|location=Chennai |publisher=IBNLive.com |date=5 September 2011 |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/greenfield-airport-plan-on-fast-track/181375-60-118.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416052741/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/greenfield-airport-plan-on-fast-track/181375-60-118.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2012 |access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref> The greenfield airport will be able to handle 40 million passengers per annum.<ref name="HinduBL_TNProposesSecondAirport">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3155610.ece|work=[[The Hindu Business Line]]|title=TN proposes second greenfield airport|date=22 March 2012|access-date=22 March 2012|location=Chennai, India|archive-date=23 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323215621/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3155610.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of September 2019, the State government has shortlisted six locations for the second international airport. These include [[Thiruporur]] (40 km from the present airport), Vallathur (70 km), Thodur (55 km), Mappedu (46 km), [[Cheyyar]] (90 km), and Maduramangalam (55 km).<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sangeetha Kandavel & Sunitha Sekar
| title = Six locations shortlisted for city's second airport
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 22 September 2019
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/six-locations-shortlisted-for-chennai-second-airport/article29479974.ece
| access-date = 20 October 2019
| archive-date = 31 January 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200131102619/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/six-locations-shortlisted-for-chennai-second-airport/article29479974.ece
| url-status = live}}</ref>

In August 2022, the state government finally selected Parandur in [[Kanchipuram]] district as location for the new greenfield airport. The [[Chennai greenfield airport, Parandur|New Chennai Greenfield International Airport]] in Parandur, will take a minimum 5 to 7 years to be built.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
Apart from the expansion of the existing airport at [[Tirusulam]], the new [[Greenfield project|greenfield]] airport at Parandur would come up on 4970 acres of land.

==Incidents and accidents==
* In August 1984, a [[Meenambakkam bomb blast|bomb blast]] 1,200 m from the airport killed 33 persons and injured 27 others. It was in the older terminal building situated near Meenambakkam railway station.<ref>{{cite web|title = Eelam Army chief held for Chennai blast|publisher = The Indian Express News Service|date = 8 February 1998|url = http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19980208/03950624.html|access-date = 11 January 2012|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091007133247/http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19980208/03950624.html|archive-date = 7 October 2009|df = dmy-all}}</ref> The entire concourse was razed down and had to be rebuilt.<ref>{{cite news|title = Airport blast: HC sets aside life term for five|location = Chennai|date = 3 May 2000|url = http://www.hindu.com/2000/05/03/stories/0203000t.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121111022606/http://hindu.com/2000/05/03/stories/0203000t.htm|url-status = dead|archive-date = 11 November 2012|newspaper = [[The Hindu]]|access-date = 11 January 2022}}</ref>
* On 29 September 1986, Indian Airlines flight IC 571, an Airbus A300b2-1c (registration VT-ELV), on a routine flight from Chennai to Mumbai, aborted take-off due to a bird-strike and suffered a runway excursion. No fatalities were reported. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
* On 5 March 1999, [[Air France]] flight 6745, an ex-UTA [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-2B3F]] (SCD) freighter (registration F-GPAN) carrying a revenue load of 66 tonnes of cargo from [[Charles de Gaulle Airport]] [CDG], [[Paris]] to [[Madras]] [MAA] via [[Karachi]] [KHI] and [[Bangalore, India|Bangalore]] [BLR] crash-landed, caught fire and burned out. Madras ATC had cleared the aircraft for an ILS approach to the airport's runway 07. The crew abandoned the approach due to technical difficulties and the aircraft circled to attempt a second approach. At the end of the second approach, the aircraft's nose struck the runway while touching down because its nose gear was not locked. The plane skidded and came to rest 7,000 feet (2,100 m) down the {{convert|13050|ft|m|abbr=on}} runway. After it had come to a standstill, the crew noticed smoke on the flight deck and began to extinguish the flames. Soon after, flames erupted in the aircraft's front section. One crew member managed to escape from the flight deck via a rope ladder. The remaining four crew members were rescued by the airport fire service from the rear, before the flames engulfed the entire aircraft. The fire service was unable to extinguish the fire and the aircraft burned out.<ref>{{cite web|title = ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-2B3F (SCD) F-GPAN Chennai Airport (MAA)|work = Aviation Safety Network|publisher = Flight Safety Foundation|url = http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19990305-0|access-date = 11 January 2012|archive-date = 14 January 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120114045709/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19990305-0|url-status = live}}</ref>

==2015 Chennai floods==
{{further|2015 South India floods}}
[[File:Chennai Airport submerged during December 2015 Tamil Nadu flood.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of submerged Chennai International Airport]]
In December 2015, unprecedented rainfall associated with India's [[Northeast monsoon|North-east monsoon]] caused extensive [[2015 Chennai floods|flooding]] of the airport tarmac and runways. The airport was closed for a week to all traffic by the AAI from the evening of 1 December until noon on 6 December. About 1,500 passengers and 2,000 airport workers were evacuated as water entered terminal buildings and 30-35 aircraft were stranded on the apron.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/chennai-airport-closed-until-noon-on-sunday/articleshow/50015008.cms|title=Chennai airport closed until noon on Sunday|work=Economic Times|access-date=2 December 2015|archive-date=5 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205053613/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/chennai-airport-closed-until-noon-on-sunday/articleshow/50015008.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Military authorities permitted the use of Naval Air Station [[INS Rajali]] in [[Arakkonam]], 70 km (43 mi) west of central Chennai and [[Tambaram Air Force Station]] 20 km (12 mi) south as relief airports for a limited service of civilian commercial flights as well as official rescue/assistance flights.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/With-Chennai-marooned-naval-base-to-act-as-civilian-airport/articleshow/50016359.cms|title=Naval Base to act as civilian airport|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=3 December 2015|archive-date=4 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204155637/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/With-Chennai-marooned-naval-base-to-act-as-civilian-airport/articleshow/50016359.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, [[Indian Air Force]] evacuated passengers from Chennai Airport to the two military bases for onward journeys on Air Force transport aircraft to other domestic destinations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thestatesman.com/news/india/iaf-to-evacuate-stranded-passengers-from-chennai-airport/108131.html|title=IAF to evacuate stranded passengers from Chennai airport|publisher=The Statesman|access-date=3 December 2015|archive-date=9 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209002200/http://www.thestatesman.com/news/india/iaf-to-evacuate-stranded-passengers-from-chennai-airport/108131.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 5 December, the [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|Directorate General of Civil Aviation]] permitted a partial re-opening of the airport during daylight hours under [[visual meteorological conditions]] only, allowing airlines to ferry stranded aircraft out of Chennai without passengers or cargo on board. Operations under [[instrument meteorological conditions]] were not permitted. Rescue and assistance flights, however, were permitted to operate in and out of the airport.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/chennai-airport-to-be-made-operational-in-rain-battered-tamil-nadu-today_1830724.html|title=Chennai airport to be made operational today|publisher=Zee News India|access-date=5 December 2015|archive-date=7 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207100653/http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/chennai-airport-to-be-made-operational-in-rain-battered-tamil-nadu-today_1830724.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Transport in Chennai]]
* [[Airports in India]]
* [[Air transport in India]]
* [[List of busiest airports in India by passenger traffic]]
* [[List of airlines of India]]
* [[Chennai greenfield airport, Parandur]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |last1=Lake |first1=A |title= Flying units of the RAF |year=1999 |publisher= Airlife |location= [[Shrewsbury]] |isbn= 1-84037-086-6 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}

* {{Official website|https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/chennai}}
* [https://www.chennaiairport.com Unofficial website]
* {{ASN|MAA}}

{{Portal bar|India|Aviation|Transport|Engineering}}
{{Chennai Topics|left}}
{{Transport in Chennai}}
{{Airports in India}}

[[Category:Airports in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:1948 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1948]]
[[Category:Memorials to C. N. Annadurai]]
[[Category:Transport in Chennai]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Chennai]]
[[Category:World War II sites in India]]