The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is finalising the acquisition of 19.06 acres of land for ₹278 crore at Chennai International Airport to address congestion at the airport’s cargo terminal. The land is currently held by Air India Assets Holding Limited (AIAHL).
The move follows complaints from exporters and freight forwarders about cargo trucks waiting for several hours outside the AAICLAS cargo terminal. Restrictions on heavy-vehicle movement during peak hours have further contributed to delays and queues around the airport.
Once transferred to AAI, the land will be developed as a dedicated parking area for cargo trucks. This is expected to keep waiting vehicles away from the terminal buildings and improve the flow of cargo traffic.
AAI also plans to introduce a token system to regulate the entry and exit of trucks, allowing vehicles to access the cargo terminal in a more organised manner.
The initiative comes as Chennai Airport continues to strengthen its infrastructure to support growing passenger and cargo activity. Separately, authorities are examining connectivity options for the planned Terminal 5, including an elevated corridor linking the terminal with National Highway 32.
The proposed Terminal 5 corridor is being reviewed by the Water Resources Department and Anna University, with particular attention to its impact on the Adyar river and additional land-acquisition requirements.
The new cargo-truck parking facility is expected to help reduce vehicle queues, improve terminal access and support smoother cargo movement at Chennai Airport.