Chennai Airport’s Second Cab Pick-up Plaza Ready, Launch Awaited Till Early March

Air passengers using Chennai International Airport will have to wait a little longer to benefit from the much-anticipated second cab pick-up point, even though the newly developed plaza is fully ready. The facility, located opposite the Terminal 1 domestic building, is expected to become operational only by early March, officials confirmed.

The plaza was conceived as a solution to ease passenger inconvenience after cab pick-ups were shifted in July 2024 from the flagpole area near T1 to the multi-level car parking facility. Since then, travellers have repeatedly flagged difficulties, citing long waits for buggy services, crowded elevators and extended walking distances before reaching their cabs.

Work on beautifying and developing the plaza began in 2023, with an original completion deadline set for October 2024. However, the project faced multiple delays due to operational and administrative challenges, finally reaching completion only recently.

According to sources from the Airports Authority of India, the delay in opening the second pick-up point is not related to construction readiness but to procedural clearances. Officials said the introduction of an additional cab boarding zone must not result in revenue loss to the existing parking and transport contractor.

A committee was formed to examine traffic flow, vehicle movement and revenue implications. Its recommendations concluded that the new pick-up point could function without financial impact on the contractor. However, complications arose after the earlier operator of the multi-level car parking facility saw its contract terminated, leading to arbitration proceedings. “Since public funds are involved and passenger convenience is critical, legal opinion is being sought to avoid future complications,” an AAI official said, adding that the authority is keen to open the facility at the earliest.

Frequent flyers continue to express frustration. Many recount spending over 30 minutes navigating buggies, lifts and queues before exiting the terminal. Some passengers now prefer walking out of the airport premises and requesting drivers to pick them up from less congested points.

Once operational, the second cab pick-up plaza is expected to significantly reduce congestion at the multi-level parking area and restore easier access closer to the terminal. Airport authorities believe the move will improve the overall arrival experience, particularly during peak travel hours.

For now, passengers are advised to plan additional time for cab boarding, with officials assuring that the long wait for relief will end by early March.