Chennai airport will not be privatised, Terminal 3 will be functional soon, assures Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu

CHENNAI: Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, announced on Thursday that the construction of Terminal 3 at Chennai International Airport would be completed by March 2026 and assured that the airport would not be privatised under any circumstances.

Addressing reporters on his maiden visit to the city airport as the aviation minister, Naidu assured them that Terminal 3 construction would be completed by March 2026, which would mark a significant milestone in the airport's expansion. "Phase 2 of Terminal 2 is nearing completion and will be operational soon," he said.

Responding to queries about expanding the current facilities, the aviation minister said the Centre has no plans to privatise the Chennai airport. "While in few other airports, some operations may be leased to private entities, the land will remain under the Centre's control. This model will enhance passenger services," he said

Naidu also reassured that the Centre remained committed to providing top-tier services at Chennai, which is a crucial airport in the national aviation network. He also elaborated on the ongoing efforts to improve the airport's capacity, especially at Terminals 1 and 4, "We are working to increase the airport's capacity and streamline operations for greater efficiency and passenger comfort," he noted and outlined plans to upgrade Runway 2 at Chennai Airport, which currently cannot accommodate wide-body aircraft. He informed that the Ministry is working on a solution to integrate both runways, allowing large aircraft to land without any disruptions.

Emphasising Chennai Airport's vitality, he stressed reduced airfares to improve connectivity. "Greater connectivity will bring down airfares. The ticket pricing system is influenced by demand, but we are continuously engaging with airlines to ensure that prices remain reasonable," Naidu said.

He further noted that while international markets generally do not regulate airfares, the Ministry is ensuring airlines operate competitively while maintaining affordability for passengers.

"In a recent example, during the Maha Kumbh festival, when airfares surged unexpectedly, the Ministry intervened and successfully urged airlines to adjust their prices," he said.

Naidu also touched upon developments at other airports across Tamil Nadu, including Coimbatore, which he described as a high-demand location.

"Once the state government sends us the report, we will begin work on expanding Coimbatore airport's operations. Additionally, the UDAN Scheme, which has been extended for another 10 years, is expected to bring increased connectivity and activity to smaller airports such as Salem, Vellore, and Neyveli," he said.

The Union Minister appealed to private airline operators and others to come forward with proposals to establish new airports and connectivities, assuring that the Centre would provide necessary support for such ventures. "We are open to facilitating the establishment of new airports, and we welcome private participation in this process," he added.

Regarding new flight connections, Naidu assured that efforts would be made to expand connectivity from Chennai Airport to new cities.

"We are engaging with airlines to encourage them to start new services from Chennai. Additionally, we are focusing on enhancing the airport's cargo operations to serve businesses and trade better," he said.