Why Tamil Nadu Seeks New Operator for Chennai Airport
The Tamil Nadu government has asked the Centre to consider transferring the operations, management and future development of Chennai airport to a new operator, citing concerns over the airport’s current standards and the need to improve passenger services.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a time-bound decision on the proposal. The state has argued that Chennai, one of India’s major aviation centres, needs airport facilities capable of supporting its growing economic and passenger requirements.
According to the Chief Minister’s letter, Chennai airport handled 23.01 million passengers during the 2025-26 financial year. The airport currently has terminal capacity of about 27 million passengers a year, which is expected to rise to around 35 million after the ongoing expansion is completed.
The state has pointed to several passenger-related concerns, including difficulties with transport access, parking shortages, taxi operations, maintenance of restrooms and seating areas, air-conditioning problems, baggage-delivery delays and long queues at security and immigration facilities.
The government has also raised concerns about delays in the expansion of the international terminal. It has argued that faster development and improved management are needed to ensure that Chennai airport can support future passenger and cargo growth.
The proposal comes after the state government decided not to proceed with the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project. With that project shelved, attention has shifted towards improving the existing Chennai airport while the government explores alternatives for a second airport in the region.
Tamil Nadu is also considering further expansion of the existing airport, including a proposed satellite terminal. Officials have discussed connecting the planned terminal with the Tambaram-Maduravoyal bypass to improve road access for passengers.
State Law Minister C. T. R. Nirmal Kumar has described the proposal as private participation rather than privatisation. He said the objective was to improve maintenance and passenger facilities, while maintaining that the government does not support privatising public institutions in a way that could increase costs for the public.
However, several Opposition parties have criticised the proposal and questioned the idea of bringing a private operator into the airport’s management. They have argued that problems with the existing airport should be addressed without transferring its operations to a private player.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI), meanwhile, has defended its role and said decisions regarding privatisation or changes in airport operations are matters for the Union government. Chennai airport officials have also pointed to recent improvements, including the opening of a parking plaza to address passenger transport concerns.
The proposed change in operations is therefore still part of an ongoing discussion between the Tamil Nadu and Union governments. Any transfer of management would require the Centre to take a decision on the state’s request.
For Tamil Nadu, the larger objective is to ensure that Chennai has modern airport infrastructure capable of handling future passenger growth, improving connectivity and supporting the state’s wider economic development.