The new domestic terminal at Chennai airport will open by August-end, Airports Authority of India (AAI) chairman V.P. Agrawal said here on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting various facilities in the new building, Mr Agrawal said seven aerobridges required for the new terminal would be installed within 20 days.
“We will be ready to open the new premises by August 15. The actual inauguration date will be announced depending upon the availability of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and chief minister J. Jayalalithaa,” he added.
AAI plans to shift existing concessionaire to the new building and later complete the tender process to appoint a master concessionaire for Chennai airport. “We will make a temporary arrangement with existing retail, food and beverages stores,” he added.On the new international terminal, AAI has planned a trial run for next
week.
“The building is ready. But we also need to coordinate with customs, immigration and CISF to make it operational. These agencies need extra manpower to handle the operations at the new terminal. Once everything is in place, we can open it,” he added.
Noting that six airports in the country are under public-private partnership, Mr Agrawal said AAI did not want the PPP mode for Chennai and Kolkata airports. “Instead, we are looking at joint venture management contract. Under this system, AAI will hold 51 per cent and the remaining will be with the private player,” he added.
Chennai airport has been awarded the Airport of the Year 2012 for best handling of cargo, for the third consecutive time, by South East CEO Conclave and Cargo & Logistics, Chennai.