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 no further slippage should occur. Nearly 75% of the civil work has been completed at the terminal, which is part of the airport’s Phase II modernisation programme.
Officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) reviewed the project’s progress and examined measures to improve passenger facilities across Chennai airport. The terminal’s deadline was recently moved from December 2026 to April 2027.
The T3 international terminal will cover 86,135 square metres and is expected to raise Chennai airport’s annual passenger-handling capacity to 35 million. The project has been under construction for several years and is intended to expand the airport’s ability to handle growing passenger traffic through additional terminal infrastructure.
Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, stressed that the building should be completed by April 2027 and that there should be no further delays, according to sources cited in the review. He also said the airport should match private airports in meeting project deadlines and improving passenger amenities.
Signage within and outside the airport was another key issue discussed during the review. The airport has added several signs in recent weeks, while bids have been called for an overall improvement of signage across all three terminals. The work is intended to improve passenger navigation between the airport’s facilities.
The review also covered proposals linked to the airport’s future expansion. Mr. Sinha was briefed on the Tamil Nadu government’s proposed T5 terminal, planned near the airport’s remote bays, as well as recent discussions between the State government and AAI on the proposal.
The T3 project forms part of a wider effort to modernise Chennai airport and increase its passenger-handling capacity. Its revised schedule places the focus on completing the remaining civil work while ensuring that terminal facilities, wayfinding systems and related passenger services are ready for operations.
A further inspection by the Civil Aviation Secretary is likely to take place at the airport next month. The review will provide another opportunity to assess progress against the April 2027 completion target and the airport’s ongoing signage and passenger-facility upgrades.
