Soon, Chennai airport to get open air market, landscaping – Times of India

CHENNAI: The experience of the city airport may become more than just landing and take-off. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to set up shops and open-air markets like a ‘haat’ in the 15-acre space in front of the terminals after car parking is moved to the multi-level car park by the end of the year.
This will also boost nonaeronautical revenue and offer space for visitors and passengers to hang out. Airport director Sharad Kumar said a proposal had been prepared and sent to the headquarters for sanction. “It is going to be an informal setup where passengers and visitors can relax, shop and walk around and spend time.” There will be shops, eateries, restaurants, and a lot of open space, he said.

The entire area will be landscaped and lighting will be done using different designs for people to walk through. People who come to receive passengers too can spend time if they reach early, he said.
The AAI is planning to open the multi-level car parking complex by the end of the year. The two complexes will also have a malllike space for shopping, a multiplex and a hotel.
The multi-level car parking buildings and the landscaping of the area in front of the terminals will help AAI make the most of the city-side area for generating revenue from passengers and visitors, and also improve the aesthetics by the time the new terminal is ready for commissioning.
This will be the first significant development on the city-side as the AAI has been carrying out developments on the air-side like straightening of a taxiway, constructing rapid exit taxiways and other work.
The airport is expecting a boom in passenger traffic soon after restrictions, to curb the spread of Covid, are relaxed and vaccinated travel becomes the norm.