Chennai: The mad Monday morning and Friday evening rush that continues in the new domestic terminal in the city airport reinforces the need for a Greenfield airport at Sriperumbudur. The new domestic terminal inaugurated in January can handle 10 million passengers per year. But then, with the way Chennai is growing, it would reach a saturation point by 2015 itself rather than 2017 as anticipated.
According to International Air Transport Association, Indian domestic traffic increased by seven per cent in March this year compared to same period last year. While reduction in fares by several airlines serving the Indian domestic market was the likely cause for the increase, the capacity and load factor has also increased by 1.9 per cent and 3.6 per cent respectively.
“After a lull in January and February, the passenger flow has increased from March this year. The queues at every counter are similar as it used to be in the old domestic terminal. The new premises are not going to be good enough for 2015.
06/05/13 S. Sujatha/Deccan Chronicle
