Long queues of passengers formed due to the closure of terminal gates.
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded for hours at Chennai Airport’s International Terminal during peak morning hours on Tuesday. The passengers were scheduled to travel to major international destinations, including London, Dubai, Singapore, Myanmar, and Doha.
According to airport sources, around 17 international flights were scheduled to depart from the terminal between 5 am and 11 am.
Long queues formed outside the terminal due to the closure of 4 gates.
Long queues after gates closed
Chennai Airport’s International Terminal has 12 entry points, with 10 of them allowing access from both sides. According to sources, passengers faced significant inconvenience after gates numbered 5, 8, 9, and 10 were closed.
With only a limited number of entry points available, passengers were forced to queue up, with lines stretching towards the parking area. Several travellers said they had to wait for more than an hour just to enter the terminal building.
Delays in check-in and immigration
As per airport guidelines, passengers are allowed to enter the terminal three hours before their scheduled flight departure. However, due to heavy crowds at the entry gates, many travellers had limited time to complete essential procedures, including check-in, customs clearance, and immigration.
Several passengers said that even after receiving flight announcements an hour before departure, they were still waiting in queues, increasing concerns about missing their flights. Travellers with e-visas faced additional delays during the clearance process, further adding to their anxiety.
Passengers opting for other cities
Passengers said that such administrative hurdles are not commonly faced at major airports like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Due to these issues, many international travellers from the region are now choosing to fly via Mumbai for long-haul journeys to destinations in the US and the UK.
Action demanded from AAI
Distressed passengers and frequent travelers have demanded that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) issue strict instructions to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and terminal managers. They have demanded that all available entry gates be opened during peak hours so that passengers do not face any difficulty in movement.
