Passengers in Chennai may soon have increased check-in facilities from select metro stations, as the Chennai Airport Authority and Chennai Metro Rail Limited are exploring the opportunity to introduce a hassle-free check-in process through select metro stations. Sharad Kumar, director of the Chennai Airport Authority, said that if 50 per cent people prefer to reach the airport by metro train, then this initiative will reduce the crowd at the airport check-in. For the convenience of air travellers, Chennai Airport Authority in collaboration with CMRL is planning to start check-in at select metro stations in Chennai. This will help the passengers to have a hassle free boarding of the aircraft. A meeting was held on Wednesday between officials of the Airport Authority, CMRL and airlines to explore the possibility of introducing departure check-in at Metro stations.
Speaking on this, Chennai Airport Director Sharad Kumar mentioned that this is a pre-conceived plan and we are expecting the CMRL feasibility study by the end of this month and trial run by March.
Sharad Kumar said, “The traffic is increasing after Covid. We are seeing a good footfall. Many people find it difficult to reach the airport with their luggage. We have discussed with CMRL, they also Have come up with the idea to check in in select metros”.
He also mentioned that it can provide hassle free boarding as passengers can arrive at the airport anytime and it can reduce traffic on airport roads which can also be a reason for pollution control.
“If 50 per cent people decide to come by metro, then more people will come in metro as well. So far we have talked to and finalized Indigo, Air India and Vistara airlines to provide this facility. There is a pre-conceived plan where 65 pc of traffic in Chennai is domestic congestion,” said Sharad Kumar.
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CMRL is looking into the feasibility of this initiative and will submit the report by the end of January. Chennai airport is planning to provide limited operations on the trail base by March 1 and if all goes well by April 14, it will be fully ready.
CMRL and the special airlines will take care of the baggage of the passengers and will transfer it to the airport.
“The airlines have huge manpower and with CMRL, they have their own system to ensure that the security is not lax. Once they are checked-in. Once they get their boarding pass So they can easily reach Chennai airport and travel hassle free.” ” she added.
With inputs from ANI