Despite a steady daily traffic of over 50,000 passengers, Chennai Airport continues to fall short in attracting international travelers. Industry experts point out that unless fresh strategies are put into place, the airport’s growth in the global sector may remain stunted.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Chennai had gained good momentum with direct connections to major global cities like Paris, Tokyo, and even the Reunion Islands. But that progress has slowed, and travelers now face added hurdles when flying abroad. For instance, a passenger flying to Tokyo from Chennai currently has to transit through Delhi, adding unnecessary travel time and raising overall costs, this is a key reason for declining interest in international routes from Chennai.

Interestingly, while infrastructure upgrades are underway  including the construction of a second phase of the international terminal to support 35 million passengers annually, international traffic hasn't picked up pace. This mismatch between growing capacity and underwhelming global reach raises questions about future planning and execution.

Many believe the return of direct international flights from Chennai could play a pivotal role in bringing back the pre-pandemic passenger volume. Passengers are eager for seamless travel options, and delays in restoring direct global connections could hurt Chennai's standing among international flyers.

On a positive note, officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have confirmed that steps are being taken to revive the discontinued international routes. They remain optimistic that global traffic will gradually rise in the coming years, provided the needed services are reinstated.

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