AAI Plans Fifth Terminal Between Runways at Chennai Airport to Boost Capacity

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) is planning to construct a fifth terminal at Chennai International Airport, designed to handle 20 million passengers per annum (MMPA). The addition is set to increase the airport's combined handling capacity to 55 MMPA following the decision by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to scrap the Parandur airport project.

The new facility is planned for the "V" space situated between the airport's two runways. According to an airport spokesperson, locating the terminal within this space is intended to ease city-side approach congestion while maximising operations within the airport's existing land footprint, allowing Chennai to operate as one of the largest airports on a compact land parcel.

The expansion remains at an early concept stage, with formal technical and traffic studies yet to be commissioned. AAI officials are currently assessing transit mechanisms to transfer passengers across the runway between the existing terminals and the proposed facility, with automated people-movers among the options under consideration. The concept also includes plans for 10 rapid-exit taxiways and the widening of the airport perimeter road.

Under the blueprint, the existing cargo facility on GST Road will continue operating as a warehouse for passenger aircraft belly cargo. Plans for a parallel cargo hub at the rear remain in preliminary stages, with specific tonnage capacities yet to be finalised.

To manage road access and reduce traffic pressure on GST Road, AAI has supported a proposed 5.2-kilometre cargo corridor designed by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) linking the facility to the Chennai Bypass and Outer Ring Road. AAI developed a master plan aligned with this corridor and presented it to the Tamil Nadu chief secretary in 2024 to guide ongoing development.

Plans are also underway for an elevated highway connecting the airport to National Highway 32. Regarding environmental considerations along the Adyar river, an official confirmed that a report submitted by the Centre for Water Resources found the proposed elevated road pillars will cause no considerable hydrological impact on the Adyar river flow.