C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to develop an additional passenger terminal and cargo infrastructure on the other side of the runway at Chennai International Airport, while retaining the existing cargo terminal, signalling a broader long-term expansion strategy for the airport, according to Chennai Airport Director M Raja Kishore.
He was responding to a proposal from the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), which had suggested shifting cargo operations to the rear side of the airport campus as part of a logistics revamp and an alternative cargo access corridor from the Chennai Bypass.
Kishore said a complete relocation of cargo facilities was not operationally feasible because around 60 per cent of freight handled at Chennai airport moves as “belly cargo” in passenger aircraft.
“Cargo operations are not an independent activity. So shifting cargo operations completely to the other side is not fully viable,” he said in response to queries.
Instead, authorities are examining the possibility of creating an additional cargo hub on the rear side of the airport campus while continuing operations at the existing terminal, he added.
CUMTA had proposed a 5.2-km alternative road connectivity to improve cargo movement and suggested that relocating cargo facilities could free up land for apron expansion and potentially help the airport handle up to 35 million passengers in the future.
Kishore, however, said the projection linked to vacating the existing cargo terminal area was “not viable” under current operational requirements.
“As it is in the conceptual stage, approvals and junction connectivity with NHAI (NH-32), Adyar river flow management, and land acquisition, if any below the shadow region of the flyover, need to be assessed going forward, based on the outcome and decision of the Government of Tamil Nadu,” he added.
The proposal forms part of CUMTA’s proposed 10-year City Logistics Plan aimed at streamlining freight movement across the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
According to CUMTA officials, a significant share of Chennai’s commercial air cargo originates from western industrial clusters such as Thirumudivakkam and Irungattukottai. Under the proposal, closed-body trucks carrying cargo would move from the Outer Ring Road via Anakaputhur to the proposed cargo complex on the western side of the airport.
Sources said the proposed connector road is expected to handle 200-250 trucks carrying nearly 700 tonnes of air cargo daily.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to develop an additional passenger terminal and cargo infrastructure on the other side of the runway at Chennai International Airport, while retaining the existing cargo terminal, signalling a broader long-term expansion strategy for the airport, according to Chennai Airport Director M Raja Kishore.
He was responding to a proposal from the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), which had suggested shifting cargo operations to the rear side of the airport campus as part of a logistics revamp and an alternative cargo access corridor from the Chennai Bypass.
Kishore said a complete relocation of cargo facilities was not operationally feasible because around 60 per cent of freight handled at Chennai airport moves as “belly cargo” in passenger aircraft.
“Cargo operations are not an independent activity. So shifting cargo operations completely to the other side is not fully viable,” he said in response to queries.
Instead, authorities are examining the possibility of creating an additional cargo hub on the rear side of the airport campus while continuing operations at the existing terminal, he added.
CUMTA had proposed a 5.2-km alternative road connectivity to improve cargo movement and suggested that relocating cargo facilities could free up land for apron expansion and potentially help the airport handle up to 35 million passengers in the future.
Kishore, however, said the projection linked to vacating the existing cargo terminal area was “not viable” under current operational requirements.
“As it is in the conceptual stage, approvals and junction connectivity with NHAI (NH-32), Adyar river flow management, and land acquisition, if any below the shadow region of the flyover, need to be assessed going forward, based on the outcome and decision of the Government of Tamil Nadu,” he added.
The proposal forms part of CUMTA’s proposed 10-year City Logistics Plan aimed at streamlining freight movement across the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
According to CUMTA officials, a significant share of Chennai’s commercial air cargo originates from western industrial clusters such as Thirumudivakkam and Irungattukottai. Under the proposal, closed-body trucks carrying cargo would move from the Outer Ring Road via Anakaputhur to the proposed cargo complex on the western side of the airport.
Sources said the proposed connector road is expected to handle 200-250 trucks carrying nearly 700 tonnes of air cargo daily.
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