Chennai Airport Phase 2 Expansion Expected to Finish by March 2026

The long-awaited phase II of Chennai International Airport’s expansion project is scheduled to be completed by March 2026, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told Rajya Sabha. His statement was in response to Tamil Nadu MP Vaiko, who inquired about the project’s progress.

The AAI-led expansion is designed to improve the passenger experience while increasing the airport’s handling capacity to 35 million passengers per annum (MPPA). The second phase of this segment includes the construction of Terminal 3 which will be equipped with facilities like more check-in and immigration counters, Automatic Tray Return Systems (ATRS) at Security checkpoints and more baggage belts to ease the movement of passengers.

The airport is undergoing modernization in two phases, with a total outlay of ₹2,467 crore. Under the first phase, a new Integrated Terminal Building was built and was made operational in July 2023. This enhancement boosted the airport’s processing capacity from 23 MPPA to 30 MPPA and equipped travelers with better facilities and a hassle-free transit experience.

Chennai International Airport will be more efficient and passenger-friendly with the Phase 2 project that is now underway, which would enhance its position as a key aviation hub in the South of India.