A report by the Uvakai Research Foundation suggests that Tamil Nadu does not require a new international airport to reach its $1.5 trillion economic goal. The study indicates that the state's existing six airports are currently operating at only 58% of their 51.1 million passenger capacity, with Chennai airport alone holding 12.6 million in unused annual capacity.
The findings follow Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s recent announcement to scrap the proposed Parandur airport project, which had faced over 1,200 days of local protests regarding environmental and agricultural concerns. The report highlights that Chennai’s current air cargo infrastructure is underutilized and sufficient to meet projected demand until at least 2046-47, noting that the region also benefits from significant maritime cargo capacity.
Researchers argue that the government should prioritize optimizing existing infrastructure, including the secondary runway at Chennai airport, rather than pursuing new construction. The study further suggests that developing high-speed rail corridors could serve as a viable alternative for regional travel, noting that state economic growth has significantly outpaced the growth in air passenger traffic over the last decade.
