States » SouthPosted at: Sep 20 2026 1:22PM


TN Govt proposes to change Chennai airport ops, Left parties oppose privatisation move

Chennai, Sep 20 (UNI) As reports surfaced that the Tamil Nadu government has sought a change in the operator of Chennai airport,
from the present Airports Authority of India (AAI) to another player, the two left parties, offering outside support to the ruling TVK
and needling the government on key issues, strongly opposed it and termed it as an attempt to privatise the airport management.
The government's proposed move also triggered sharp reactions from the main Opposition DMK and other parties.
According to reports, Chief Minister Vijay, expressing dissatisfaction over present functioning of the airport in some aspects, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month suggesting to have a new operator to manage and operate it.
While stressing the importance of having world-class airport infrastructure and management to support Tamil Nadu's efforts to attract industrial investments, the Chief Minister has cited three key areas that needed significant improvements. They included passenger traffic, aircraft movements and cargo-handling capacity and called for a more efficient and globally competitive facility.
Coming close on the heels of the state government shelving the Parandur greenfield airport project in adjoining Kancheepuram district, the Left parties view the move to change the operator as step towards bringing private sector player to manage and operate the Chennai airport stressing the essential need for a high-quality international airport to sustain TN's position as the leading destination for industrial investments.
When queried about it, BJP Leader and union Minister L Murugan said he spoke to the Civial Aviation Minister and no such letter has been received so far from the TN government in this regard.
CPI State Secretary M.Veerapandian condmned the move and urged the TVK government to withdraw the proposal to replace the Airports Authority of India (AAI) as the operator of Chennai airport, terming it an attempt at privatisation. Any shortcomings in the airport's management should be addressed by improving passenger services, flight operations, cargo handling and road connectivity, rather than handing over its operation to a private entity.
The party also pointed out that Chennai airport is an important public infrastructure serving Tamil Nadu's industrial, trade, tourism and cargo sectors. It cited AAI's financial data that reported net profit of Rs.6,522 crore in 2025-26 and said Chennai airport generated about Rs 492.48 crore in profit in 2024-25 and questioned the need to hand over a profitable public-sector airport to private management.
The CPI further said that the airport's expansion should continue under public-sector management, particularly as the proposed Parandur airport project has been dropped. It called for the existing airport to be modernised and expanded while ensuring that its revenue remains a public resource.
Chennai Airport is a major public infrastructure asset and plays a key role in Tamil Nadu’s industrial, trade, tourism and cargo sectors. Highlighting the airport’s role in cargo movement, he said AAI was taking steps to acquire 19.06 acres at a cost of Rs.278 crore to ease congestion at the cargo terminal. It said proposals including a 5.2-km cargo corridor were also being considered to improve cargo operations.
CPI-M State Secretary P.Shanmugam too condemned the move and urged the state government to drop the proposed move to hand over the airport mangement reportedly to the Adani group. He said the Centre was already trying the privatise various airport and ports and that Chennai airport was a public asset. He also urged the TVK government to withdraw the letter to Mr Modi if it had sought a change in the operator and continue Chennai Airport under AAI management.
Former Industries Minister and DMK leader T R B Rajaa, in a post, accused the government of trying to hand over the airport to a private operator after cancelling the Parandur airport project.
Meanwhile, political parties, including the AMMK and the Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi, too opposed the government's alleged move to “bring in a private player to operate the Chennai airport”.
UNI GV 1320
Tags: #TN Govt proposes to change Chennai airport ops# Left parties oppose privatisation move
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