Chennai Airport Runway Can Handle Large Code F Aircraft, Clarifies AAI

Chennai airport's main runway is equipped to handle massive Code F aircraft under specialised procedures, officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have clarified. The clarification came amid widespread discussions regarding the airport's capability to accommodate very large aircraft such as the Airbus A380, following the Tamil Nadu government's decision to scrap the proposed second airport at Parandur.

While Chennai airport remains officially classified as a Code E facility, AAI officials explained that the main runway and key airfield infrastructure can support larger aircraft when required standard operating procedures are enforced. A Code E classification allows an airport to handle long-haul, widebody aircraft such as the Boeing 777 or Airbus A330, which feature wingspans between 52 metres and 65 metres and passenger capacities ranging from 200 to 400. In comparison, Code F aircraft have wingspans ranging from 65 metres to 80 metres and can carry more than 500 passengers.

According to officials, the airport has accommodated Code F aircraft on several occasions in the past. In October last year, Chennai airport handled the Antonov An-124 Ruslan, one of the world's largest cargo planes. Earlier in 2019, the facility received two Boeing 747-800 aircraft, which also fall under the Code F category. Additionally, two taxiways commissioned at the airport two years after the 2019 arrivals were built to be suitable for Code F movements.

However, officials noted that an infrastructural gap remains for commercial passenger operations. Although the runways and taxiways can manage the physical movements of such large planes, Chennai airport does not have a passenger boarding bridge in place for Code F aircraft.

An AAI official noted that the main runway is capable of handling Code F aircraft under Specialised Standard Operating Procedures, while pointing out that very few Code F passenger planes operate globally. The official stated that the airport regularly handles several Code E aircraft for international operations and is prepared to handle scheduled Code F flights whenever required.

Two years ago, during a meeting with the AAI, the Tamil Nadu government had urged the authority to make Chennai airport fully Code F compliant for regular operations, arguing that such an upgrade would provide a major impetus to the state's economy.