Chennai airport’s T3 International Terminal has been given a revised completion target of April 2027 after senior officials reviewed the delayed project and directed that there should be no further slippage. Nearly 75% of the civil work has been completed on the terminal, which is being built as part of the airport’s Phase II modernisation programme.
Top officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India reviewed the project to assess construction progress and examine measures to improve passenger facilities across the airport. The review was led at the Ministry level by Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, according to sources cited in the report.
The terminal’s deadline had recently been moved from December 2026 to April 2027. During the review, Mr. Sinha stressed that the building should be completed by the revised date and that there should be no further delays. He also said the airport should match private airports in meeting project deadlines and improving passenger amenities, sources said.
The T3 terminal will have a built-up area of 86,135 square metres. Once completed, it is expected to help increase Chennai airport’s annual passenger-handling capacity to 35 million. The project has been under construction for several years and is intended to strengthen the airport’s international terminal infrastructure.
Signage inside and outside the airport was another key issue discussed during the review. Additional signage has been installed in recent weeks, while bids have been called for an overall improvement of signage across all three terminals. The measure is intended to improve passenger movement and wayfinding within the airport complex.
The review also covered the proposed T5 terminal planned by the Tamil Nadu government near the airport’s remote bays. Officials discussed the proposal as well as recent exchanges between the State government and the Airports Authority of India. The T5 plan remains part of the airport’s wider expansion proposals, alongside the ongoing T3 project.
The airport’s modernisation work has gained added administrative attention as authorities seek to improve both capacity and the passenger experience. The T3 project’s revised schedule means that construction progress and delivery timelines will remain under scrutiny over the coming months.
Another inspection by the Civil Aviation Secretary is likely to take place at Chennai airport next month. The review is expected to provide a further assessment of the terminal’s progress and the implementation of passenger-facility improvements.
