Chennai Airport Opens New Pickup Plaza to Ease Passenger Pickup Traffic

Passenger pickup at Chennai airport is set to become more organised with the opening of a newly developed pickup plaza in front of the domestic terminal (T1).

Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu inaugurated the facility on Sunday through video conference. The new pickup plaza has been developed to streamline vehicle movement, regulate passenger pickups and reduce traffic congestion along the terminal kerbside.

Built at a cost of Rs 22.88 crore, including GST, the facility provides a dedicated area for vehicles arriving to collect passengers. Initially, cab operators including Uber, Ola, Rapido, Fast Track, Red Taxi, WTi and prepaid taxis will use the pickup plaza.

According to the Airport Authority of India, the facility may later be opened to other yellow-board vehicles once the new pickup system is fully streamlined.

Three Dedicated Traffic Lanes

Located around 30 metres from T1, the pickup plaza has three dedicated traffic lanes, each measuring seven metres wide.

Lanes A and B have been designated for passenger pickups, while Lane C will function as the exit lane and includes a U-turn facility. The two pickup lanes can accommodate around 28 vehicles at a time, helping airport authorities manage vehicle flow more efficiently.

Passenger-Friendly Facilities

The new plaza has a seating capacity of 150 passengers and includes covered roofing for passenger comfort. Other facilities include drinking water and a flight information display system, along with additional passenger amenities.

Airport authorities expect the dedicated facility to reduce the dependence on the congested kerbside area in front of the domestic terminal.

The new pickup arrangement is aimed at creating a smoother experience for both passengers and vehicles while improving traffic management around Chennai airport.