Tamil Nadu Government Seeks New Operator for Chennai Airport

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting a change in the operator of the Chennai airport. In a letter sent in August, the State government expressed dissatisfaction with the current management of the facility, citing the need for world-class infrastructure and improved operational efficiency to support the state's industrial investment goals.

The Chief Minister's communication highlighted several areas requiring significant improvement, including passenger handling, aircraft movements, and cargo capacity. According to state government sources, the administration views better management of the airport as a matter of paramount importance for a state that has consistently prioritized business-friendly policies. The request is widely interpreted as a push for private-sector management to replace the current operator, the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The reported request has drawn immediate criticism from opposition parties, including the CPI and CPM, who have demanded that the state government withdraw the letter. CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian argued that the Chennai airport is a public asset and that its revenue should remain a public resource. He cited AAI financial data showing the organization posted a net profit of Rs 6,522 crore in 2025-26, while the Chennai airport recorded a profit of approximately Rs 492.48 crore in 2024-25. The Left parties have urged the government to focus on strengthening AAI with additional investment and technology rather than pursuing privatization.

BJP leader Vanathi Sreenivasan has also sought an explanation from the Chief Minister, questioning the necessity of changing the operator given the airport's performance. She noted that the facility handled nearly 2.24 crore passengers during the 2024-25 fiscal year. Sreenivasan pointed to ongoing Union government investments, including expansion and modernization projects estimated at Rs 2,467 crore, intended to enhance passenger facilities and capacity. She called for full transparency regarding the contents of the letter and asked whether stakeholders were consulted before the request was made.

Despite the state's push for a change in management, the AAI continues to oversee operations and is currently pursuing several projects to address infrastructure constraints. These include the acquisition of 19.06 acres of land for Rs 278 crore to alleviate cargo terminal congestion and a proposed 5.2-km cargo corridor. A fifth terminal is also in the conceptual stage, which is intended to increase annual passenger handling capacity to 5.5 crore, though detailed technical and traffic studies for this project remain pending.