Do We Really Need a New Airport at Parandur? Let’s Look at the Facts
The Tamil Nadu government has proposed a new greenfield airport in Parandur, about 70 kilometers from Chennai. It’s a massive plan that will cost around ₹30,000 crore. While infrastructure development sounds good in theory, it’s important to ask: Is this new airport really necessary?
Let’s look at what we already have—and whether we are making the best use of it.
Chennai’s Existing Airport Is Underutilized
Chennai’s current international airport has two runways. It recently completed major upgrades, including the new integrated terminal that increased its capacity to 30 million passengers per year, and it is set to grow to 35 million soon.
But here’s the catch: The airport is currently handling only about 22 million passengers a year. That means it’s operating at just two-thirds of its full capacity.
Even the second runway, which was built years ago by extending it over the Adyar River, is barely used. According to information obtained through RTI, this runway handled only a few hundred flights over several months in 2023 and 2024. In other words, we already have the space, but we’re not using it effectively.
Expanding Within Limits: Making the Most of What We Already Have
If at all a capacity expansion becomes necessary in the future, it would make far more sense to utilize the available land around the existing Chennai airport rather than building a new one within just 70 kilometers—a direct violation of the 150 km minimum distance rule set for greenfield airports. The land surrounding the existing Chennai airport, including areas held by public institutions, offers potential for future expansion if needed. With proper inter-agency coordination, these spaces could be considered for development—making better use of existing infrastructure and public investment. This approach would not only save valuable public funds but also maximize existing infrastructure and ensure that Chennai continues to grow in a planned, efficient, and regulation-compliant manner.
Why Build New When We Can Improve What We Have?
Instead of spending ₹30,000 crore to build a brand-new airport in Parandur, wouldn’t it make more sense to optimize the current one? Chennai airport has room to grow. It already has the terminals, the runways, and the potential to handle more passengers and flights with small improvements like better taxiways, upgraded traffic control, and smart scheduling.
Other major cities have done this successfully. For example, Mumbai’s airport handled nearly 50 million passengers with just one main runway until its second airport at Navi Mumbai was finally taken up. Chennai is nowhere close to that volume.
What About Tier II Airports in Tamil Nadu?
Tamil Nadu already has several airports in tier II cities like Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Salem, and Thoothukudi. Many of these airports are underused. Flights are limited, and in some places, the infrastructure has been upgraded but not fully utilized. These airports could take some of the load from Chennai if better connectivity and airline operations are ensured.
Investing in these cities could not only reduce the pressure on Chennai but also promote regional growth, tourism, and employment. This is a smarter, more balanced approach than pouring all the money into a new airport close to an already existing one.
What the Experts Say
Even central aviation rules suggest that a new airport should not be built within 150 kilometers of an existing major airport unless absolutely necessary. Parandur is just around 70 kilometers away. Also, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has stated that Parandur can only be developed once Chennai airport reaches full capacity—which it hasn’t yet. If the new airport is built before that, the government will have to pay AAI for lost revenue. That’s more cost for the public to bear.
Better Infrastructure, Not More Infrastructure
Airports are expensive and have long-term environmental, social, and financial costs. Before building new ones, we must ask whether we’ve done enough with what we already have. Chennai airport has a lot of unused potential. Tier II city airports can be developed further. With smarter planning, better flight operations, and efficient use of runways and terminals, we can delay or even avoid the need for another airport for several more years.
It’s not about being against development. It’s about making the right choices at the right time, using public money wisely.
References:
- Airports Authority of India. (2024). Passenger traffic and operational statistics: Chennai Airport (April 2023–March 2024). Retrieved from https://www.aai.aero/en/traffic-news/april-2024
- Bureau, DT Next. (2024, June 3). Parandur greenfield airport: Centre’s conditional approval puts pressure on TN government. DT Next. Retrieved from https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/parandur-greenfield-airport-centres-conditional-approval-puts-pressure-on-tn-government-873957
- Citizen Matters Chennai. (2024, May 24). Is Chennai’s second runway at Meenambakkam being used effectively? RTI data reveals low utilisation. Retrieved from https://chennai.citizenmatters.in/chennai-airport-second-runway-utilisation-rti-2024-89276
- Times of India. (2024, April 27). Chennai airport to get 11 rapid-exit taxiways to improve runway efficiency. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennai-airport-gets-11-new-taxiways/articleshow/110543219.cms
- Airports Authority of India. (2023). Modernisation and expansion of Chennai airport (NITB phase 2). Retrieved from https://www.aai.aero/en/project/chennai-airport-modernisation-phase-ii
- Ministry of Civil Aviation. (2022). Policy guidelines for approval of greenfield airports in India. Government of India. Retrieved from https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/Greenfield_Airports_Policy_Guidelines.pdf
- Hindustan Times. (2024, March 19). Coimbatore, Madurai airports see steady growth in passenger numbers. Retrieved from https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/coimbatore-madurai-airports-traffic-update-2024
- RTI Reply via Citizen Matters Chennai. (2024). Runway usage statistics of Chennai Airport (2023–2024). Retrieved from https://chennai.citizenmatters.in/chennai-airport-rti-data-runway-usage
- The Hindu. (2023, August 2). Parandur airport to cost ₹30,000 crore, affect 13 villages, say activists. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/parandur-airport-cost-impact-villages/article67151141.ece
