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Monday, 18 July 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Chennai: The new-look Chennai airport is expected to be operational by March next year.
The Rs. 2,015-crore expansion project was supposed to be completed by now but there has been a further delay due to various limitations, said E.P. Hareendranathan, Airport Director.
“But we expect the facility to be ready for trial runs by December. The airport will be functional by March next year.”
One of the issues was regarding the acquisition of Defence land for setting up a utility building, an a/c plant and substation. That has been ironed out and the land has been obtained, said Hareendranathan.
The project involves extension of secondary runway (which is currently 2.07 km long) by 1.03 km.
There will be 14 additional parking bays. The international terminal building is also being expanded by 59,300 sq. m.
Currently, the Chennai airport’s capacity is 320-330 aircraft movements a day.
Passenger traffic for FY2011 was 12.05 million, while cargo traffic was three lakh tonnes (international) and 93,000 mt (domestic).
“We are unable to entertain more peak capacity requests but with the expansion, the movements will go up significantly,” said Hareendranathan.
The airport officials are gearing up for the challenge ahead.
“We are interacting with the airlines, customs and immigration departments to facilitate their preparedness. We have set up a commissioning committee,” said the airport Director.
A consultant will be appointed soon to advise on concessioners for F&B, duty free and other shops at the airport.
Around 1,200 people are working on the expansion works.
Airports Authority of India is also engaged in a study to see if additional manpower is required.
With regard to the setting up of a new airport at Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, Hareendranathan said the International Civil Aviation Organisation has presented a feasibility report to Airports Authority of India, which will be formally submitted to the State Government.
