Chennai Airport Passengers Demand More Aerobridges

Passenger Frustration Over Remote Bay Assignments

Passengers are intensifying demands for improved access to Chennai Airport aerobridges following frequent instances where aircraft are directed to remote parking bays despite the availability of gate-linked infrastructure. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which manages the facility, currently oversees over 100 aircraft parking bays at the airport. However, only 11 of these are equipped with aerobridges, with six located in the domestic terminal and five in the international terminal. Passengers argue that the reliance on remote bays forces unnecessary exposure to extreme weather and complicates travel for the elderly and mobility-impaired.

Operational Constraints and Infrastructure

The current infrastructure at Chennai Airport is undergoing a significant transition. According to the Chennai Airport terminal complex has 13 Aerobridges - PIB, work is currently under way to add two more aerobridges to the existing inventory. These facilities are generally reserved for larger narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, while smaller regional turboprop aircraft, such as the ATR (Aerei da Trasporto Regionale / Avions de transport régional) fleet, remain physically incompatible with standard aerobridge infrastructure.

IndiGo Flight Incident and Operational Trade-offs

Recent public complaints were sparked by an IndiGo flight from Mumbai carrying approximately 180 passengers, which was assigned to a remote bay instead of an aerobridge-equipped gate. While passengers observed vacant aerobridges nearby, the AAI clarified that the aircraft was reassigned to remote bay 25 specifically at the airline's request. This highlights a persistent industry trend where low-cost carriers often request remote parking to minimize turnaround times, allowing for rapid disembarkation and boarding via multiple mobile stairs rather than the slower, single-door flow of an aerobridge.

Technical Comparison: Aircraft Aerobridge Compatibility

Analyzing the Operational Balance

This development indicates a structural tension between airline operational efficiency and passenger-centric service standards. Historically, similar situations have led to increased scrutiny of airport authorities. In December 2025, high-profile complaints regarding unused aerobridges led the AAI to state that open stands are sometimes allotted to avoid operational delays and ensure optimum utilization for turnarounds across different terminals. This pattern suggests that while infrastructure expansion is ongoing, the prioritization of turnaround speed by carriers like IndiGo will continue to create friction with passenger expectations for terminal-connected boarding.

Infrastructure Milestone: Phase 2 Completion

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is working toward the completion of Phase 2 of the New Integrated Terminal Building at Chennai Airport. This project is expected to be finalized by March 2026, which should provide additional capacity and help mitigate the current reliance on remote stands. Until these facilities are operational, the airport faces continued pressure to balance carrier requests for rapid turnarounds against the accessibility needs of its passenger base.

Why This Matters for Passenger Accessibility

For elderly and mobility-impaired passengers, the use of remote bays presents a high-severity impact, necessitating navigation of mobile stairs and crowded shuttle buses during monsoon rain or extreme summer heat. The ongoing debate signals that as Indian airports continue to grow, the integration of passenger-friendly infrastructure must be matched by stricter enforcement of aerobridge utilization protocols to ensure equitable service standards.