Chennai Airport has fallen to the sixth position in terms of passenger traffic among Indian metro airports, now trailing behind Kolkata. In April, the airport registered 17.3 lakh passengers, slightly behind Kolkata’s 17.6 lakh. Bengaluru Airport, once behind Chennai, now ranks third with 31.7 lakh passengers, surpassing even Mumbai in domestic traffic.
Over the past decade, Chennai Airport has experienced a 24% growth in passenger numbers, increasing from 14,02,247 in 2016 to 17,39,902 in 2026. However, Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports have shown more impressive growth rates of 105% and 100%, respectively.
Officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) anticipate an increase in passenger traffic once the new integrated terminal building is completed. The recent cancellation of flights due to rising jet fuel prices has also impacted numbers. Additional improvements in airside infrastructure are expected to boost traffic.
Frequent flyers have expressed dissatisfaction with Chennai Airport’s maintenance and facilities, noting that cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad offer a more comfortable experience. The proposed Parandur Airport is seen as a critical development for improving connectivity and infrastructure.
Industry leaders, such as V.N. Shiva Shankar from the South Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasize the need for a second airport in Chennai to enhance economic growth. The delayed opening of the plaza and T3 terminal continues to frustrate passengers.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, May 31, 2026
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