Arrival hall at new international terminal to open for Hajj pilgrims
Posted on: 13/Jun/2017 11:23:52 AM
It has been four years since the arrival hall of the new international terminal got shut. This which remained shut all these years is likely to be put into use for Hajj pilgrims.
The departure hall of new international terminal as well as the arrival and departure halls of the new domestic terminal are now in use, whereas the arrival operations of the international terminal are carried out at the old terminal.
Airports Authority of India official say that are eyeing on opening the arrival hall for use by August and September this year at a time when Hajj pilgrims will fly to Mecca more in numbers.
Exclusively for Hajj pilgrims, there are going to be 12 departure and 9 arrival flights in 2017. All necessary arrangements are done to utilize the hall at arrival and departure, they add.
In this hall, both arrival and departure functions can be handled, as the two are connected. The arrival hall is regularly maintained in spite of not being in use thus far. By opening the hall, it will not only facilitate Hajj pilgrims, but also put the hall into use. We are not sure whether the arrival hall shall be put to use after these flights.
The reason for not using the hall so far is insufficient manpower for immigration and customs formalities.
It was in 2008 that the first phase of Chennai airport modernization was started and these terminals got inaugurated after 5 long years. Now, planning for phase 2 of modernization has begun and it will start next year.
