Chennai Airport News: New Plaza and Cab Pickup Point Opens Near Terminal 1
Chennai Airport News
Passengers leaving Chennai International Airport will soon have a new and more convenient option for booking and boarding cabs. A new plaza and dedicated cab pick-up point near Terminal 1 (T1) is being inaugurated on Sunday, nearly a year after construction of the facility was completed.
The new facility is located around 30 metres from Terminal 1. It will allow passengers to board cabs closer to the terminal instead of walking or travelling to the multi-level car park to find their vehicles.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu is scheduled to virtually inaugurate the new facility.
The new pick-up point has been designed to make the journey easier for passengers leaving the airport. According to airport officials, 28 cabs can pick up passengers at the same time using two dedicated bays.
A third bay has been created for vehicles that are exiting the airport area. The facility is expected to handle at least 5,000 cab trips every day once it becomes fully operational.
Cab services at the new location will be introduced in phases. During the first phase, vehicles operated by Ola, Uber and Rapido will be permitted to pick up passengers from the new facility.
Airport authorities will monitor traffic conditions and congestion before deciding whether additional cab aggregators and traditional black-and-yellow taxis can also use the new pick-up point.
The new facility will not immediately replace all existing cab pick-up arrangements at Chennai Airport. Cabs will continue to pick up passengers from the west multi-level car park, which is more convenient for people travelling through Terminal 4 and Terminal 2.
Passengers arriving at the new plaza from T4 can also use airport buggies. These buggies will operate from Terminal 4 through Terminal 2 to Terminal 1, helping passengers who choose to use the new cab facility.
The plaza has been developed with several facilities to make waiting for transport more comfortable.
The new passenger area can accommodate around 150 people. It has covered roofing to protect travellers from weather conditions and includes drinking-water facilities.
A Flight Information Display System (FIDS) has also been installed so passengers can access flight-related information while waiting.
The facility is expected to improve the overall experience for passengers who need taxis after arriving at Chennai Airport. By bringing the cab pick-up point closer to Terminal 1, airport authorities aim to reduce walking and unnecessary detours.
The new plaza is part of efforts to improve passenger movement and ground transportation at Chennai Airport. With thousands of passengers using taxis every day, a dedicated and organised pick-up area could help make airport exits more convenient.
The facility is expected to handle thousands of cab trips each day once operations expand. Authorities will continue to assess traffic and passenger movement before adding more taxi operators.
The new plaza and cab pick-up point are therefore expected to give passengers a faster and more convenient way to leave Terminal 1 after arriving at Chennai Airport.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
