The opening of Chennai International Airport’s New Integrated Terminal Building (T2) will be a new milestone in Indian aviation in 2023. The new terminal having been constructed in a phased manner for nearly Rs 2500 crore will accommodate both domestic and international operations for a whopping 35 million passengers per annum, a great leap from the current passenger-handling capacity being 21 million. Spread over 218,000 sqm, Terminal 2 is a world-class, environment-friendly facility with sustainable features.
“After Bangalore Airport’s Garden Terminal took the aviation world aback with its aesthetic beauty and visual appeal, it is time for Chennai Airport’s new integrated terminal to wow travelers over its semblance to the age-old culture and temple architecture of Tamil Nadu. While Bangalore Airport’s T2 is a paradise of bamboo in a sprawling garden, Chennai MAA Airport’s Terminal 2 is a walk through the rich cultural repository of the state,” said Sourav Agarwal, the Editor of Travel Beats, a leading Indian Diaspora portal.
The outer design of the New Integrated Terminal Building is inspired by the majestic temple architecture of Tamil Nadu. The vestibule of the terminal is inspired by the grand entrance of temples. The entry and exit points reflect the math in the square layout of temple entrances in south Indian towns. The columns supporting the roof of the terminal are designed in such a way as to create the visual effect of a fully grown tree. (Refer to the picture above)
The roof comprising golden finish aluminum composite panels (ACP) has been given a wavy pattern. The wavy design right from the canopy in the departure kerb area features a stance that is similar to the graceful moves of a Bharatanatyam dancer. The texture of the ceiling aesthetically resembles the folded pattern of a saree, or the pleated costume that Bharatanatyam dancers wear during a performance. It is natural that Bharatanatyam being the state dance form of Tamil Nadu has a bearing on the aesthetics of Chennai Airport’s Terminal 2.
Kolam-like designs on the terrazzo floors inside the terminal will welcome travelers arriving on international flights to Chennai MAA Airport. The anti-slip floors exude cultural elegance that is common in the everyday life across South India. The day starts with a Kolam design on the main entrance for South Indian households. Evidently, the meticulously designed flooring lends a distinct cultural feel to the new terminal.
The Skylight is a unique feature of Chennai Airport’s integrated terminal 2. Installed on the roof of the new terminal building, the Skylight is a patented natural light harvesting technology. It maximizes daylight harvesting to illuminate a vast space, thereby lessening power consumption and carbon footprint significantly. The Skylight installation is part of the airport’s green initiative. The laminated glass facades let an influx of natural light in to brighten the interior. Moreover, the terminal appears immensely spacious because of its double-height ceiling.
Terminal 2 of Chennai International Airport has as many as 140 check-in counters divided among seven check-in islands. 100 counters will be operational in Phase I, and the remaining 40 counters will be used in Phase II. There are 38 self-service check-in kiosks, 108 immigration counters, 10 baggage conveyor belts, 38 lifts, 48 escalators, and 12 walkalators in the new terminal.
“With the lifting of India’s travel regulations including Air Suvidha, the major airports are setting a new benchmark in technology and infrastructure for more international passenger traffic than that in the pre-pandemic times. The recovery of Indian aviation from the pandemic blues is nothing short of a case study on India’s deliberate preparedness for travel rebound. The few online travel agencies including IndianEagle.com, are booking cheap air tickets to Chennai and other Indian cities, thereby supporting the post-pandemic travel boom.