Chennai airport adds 48 check-in counters to reduce congestion

Starting next week, international travelers at Chennai airport will experience a quicker check-in process. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to open 48 new check-in counters in the international terminal. Currently, the terminal has 72 check-in counters, which were sufficient when it opened two years ago. However, passenger numbers have increased, leading to congestion. In January, the terminal saw over 543,000 passengers and more than 3,400 aircraft movements. The addition of new counters took time due to the installation of in-line baggage scanner machines. These scanners are necessary for checking passengers’ luggage before it is sent to the aircraft. The AAI wanted all equipment ready before the busy summer travel season. Construction of a second part of the international terminal is also underway. So far, about 12% of the work has been completed, with expected completion by next March. Once opened, this section will add another 48 check-in counters to accommodate future passenger demand.