The move follows
complaints from exporters and freight forwarders about cargo trucks waiting for
several hours outside the AAICLAS cargo terminal. Restrictions on heavy-vehicle
movement during peak hours have further contributed to delays and queues around
the airport. Once transferred to AAI,
the land will be developed as a dedicated parking area for cargo trucks. This
is expected to keep waiting vehicles away from the terminal buildings and
improve the flow of cargo traffic. AAI also plans to introduce a token system
to regulate the entry and exit of trucks, allowing vehicles to access the cargo
terminal in a more organised manner.
The initiative comes as Chennai Airport continues to strengthen its
infrastructure to support growing passenger and cargo activity. Separately,
authorities are examining connectivity options for the planned Terminal 5,
including an elevated corridor linking the terminal with National Highway
32. The proposed Terminal 5 corridor is
being reviewed by the Water Resources Department and Anna University, with
particular attention to its impact on the Adyar river and additional
land-acquisition requirements. The new
cargo-truck parking facility is expected to help reduce vehicle queues, improve
terminal access and support smoother cargo movement at Chennai Airport.