Chennai Airport Modernisation to Be Completed by December 2026, Says Centre

The Union government has revised the completion timeline for the ongoing modernisation and expansion of Chennai International Airport, with the project now expected to be completed by December 2026. The revised deadline comes after construction activities were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, severe cyclones and periods of unusually heavy rainfall.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is executing the airport expansion project in two phases with a total investment of ₹2,467 crore. The project is aimed at transforming Chennai into a stronger aviation hub while supporting the growing demand for domestic and international air travel.

The first phase of the project has already been completed with the commissioning of a new integrated terminal building in 2023. The upgraded terminal increased the airport’s passenger handling capacity from 23 million passengers per annum to 30 million passengers annually, significantly improving passenger movement and terminal facilities.

The second phase focuses on the construction of Terminal 3, which will further increase the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity to 35 million. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, an expenditure of ₹1,762.08 crore had been incurred on the project as of June 2026, reflecting substantial progress toward completion.

Apart from terminal expansion, the Airports Authority of India has invested ₹236.75 crore over the past five years in strengthening airside infrastructure. The upgrades include rapid-exit taxiways, taxi tracks and link taxiways that are expected to improve aircraft movement, reduce congestion and enhance operational efficiency.

Responding to questions raised in Parliament, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said Chennai Airport has continued to remain India’s fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic since the 2022-23 financial year. He also clarified that there are currently no constraints in slot availability and that no pending airline slot allocation requests remain with the Airports Authority of India.

The ministry also provided updates on other aviation infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu. At Tiruchirappalli Airport, the new ₹80 crore Air Traffic Control tower-cum-technical block has achieved significant construction progress. Meanwhile, development work has also commenced at Coimbatore Airport, including a new boundary wall and terminal modification works.

The completion of Chennai Airport’s modernisation project is expected to strengthen connectivity, improve passenger experience and support the long-term growth of aviation and economic activity across South India.