Chennai Airport Lounge Delay Frustrates Passengers Amid Long Walks and Poor Facilities

Increased passenger frustration is building at Chennai Airport, as the new Flasha lounge in the domestic terminal (T1) is now delayed in opening, with the expectation of operations starting in October 2024. Work on the construction had begun in 2023, but one would hardly think so given the sluggish pace of its progress toward what appears now to be non-completion, a year after the deadline.

The lounge, according to the Airport Authority of India (AAI), will be an added comfort for passengers, offering seating, luggage storage, charging points, washrooms, food stalls, a gift shop, and a dedicated point for the pickup of private vehicles. The delay in the construction, however, continued to inconvenience travelers.

Most of the complaints pertain to the long walks that the passengers have to undergo from the arrival section to the pickup zone near the multi-level car park. While AAI does arrange battery-operated cars for the transit, due to their limited numbers, they form long queues with lengthy waits to get a ride, especially during the early dawn hours when the rush is heavy. Most affected are senior passengers and families with children.

There used to be a luggage storage facility at the airport a few years back, but it was shut down because of repeated bomb threats. The bomb threats ensured that no secure place existed for the passengers to store their belongings. Besides addressing this missing gap, a new lounge would have provided passengers with areas for rest and refreshment that are highly needed.

The authorities said, “Work is still on. We expect to have it open towards the end of this year or early in 2026,” explaining the delays along the way.

Frequent fliers and travelers from this region are now requesting the AAI to expedite work on the project, stating that modern infrastructure is overdue at one of the busiest airports in India. Many believe Chennai is lagging in providing passenger amenities compared to other metro airports.

Until the lounge is fully operational, the discomfort of domestic travelers remains ever on the increase due to the absence of these basic amenities.