The renovated Chennai airport is likely to start full fledged operations by February 2012. One of the biggest stumbling blocks of the airport expansion project was removed last week when the Union home ministry approved the purchase of aerobridges from abroad. The decision to buy aerobridges was delayed by nearly two years as the home ministry insisted on a special approval to buy equipment from a few Chinese firms. The Airports Authority of India had placed orders for 40 aerobridges, of which 10 will be for the new international and domestic terminals at Chennai airport. An official at Chennai airport said that the home ministry clearance came last week and the tendering process has started. AAI officials in Chennai expect that the delay in getting the aerobridges would not affect the scheduled completion of works. They expect the international and domestic terminals to be ready for passenger operationsby February 2012. Besides Chennai airport, those in Kolkata, Bhopal, Indore, Lucknow and Raipur are waiting for new aerobridges. Airport authorities in Chennai expect to complete by December the interior systems, passenger facilities, counters for airliners and security infrastructure.
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