The Phase 2 expansion of Chennai International Airport is progressing at an accelerated pace, with efforts underway to prevent further delays. As per the revised schedule, the second portion of the new integrated terminal is expected to be ready by early 2026, with operations set to commence by March.

Revised Timelines and Project Scope Initially, in 2023, then Civil Aviation Minister VK Singh had projected July 2025 as the completion date for the airport’s renovation. However, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) later revised the timeline to December 2025, before setting a final completion target of March 2026.

Launched in 2018 with an estimated investment of Rs 24.67 billion, the expansion aims to boost annual passenger capacity from 2.3 crore to 3.5 crore. The works span across a 2.36 lakh sq m area, making it one of the largest airport expansion projects in India.

The expansion has been structured in two phases, “The current peak-hour footfall in the existing terminal is around 12,000 passengers. With the new terminal’s expanded space and upgraded facilities, passenger movement will be smoother and waiting times significantly reduced,” said an airport official.

Boosting Capacity and Future Expansion Plans Currently, Chennai Airport operates with three terminals—T1, T2, and T4. The addition of T3 will elevate its annual passenger-handling capacity to 3.5 crore, with flight operations exceeding 500 per day.

Exclusive 5th Terminal Planned for Cargo Operations Airport authorities have also revealed plans to develop a 5th terminal dedicated solely to cargo flights once T3 is operational. The required land is already available, and if all goes as planned, construction on T5 will commence soon.

This ambitious expansion underscores Chennai Airport’s transformation into a world-class aviation hub, positioning it to handle rising passenger demand and bolster cargo operations in the years to come.