REACHING FOR THE SKIES TO CHENNAI IS NOT A DISTANT DREAM

Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu, is an important tourist destination. Chennai offers a host of choices for the tourists to explore. Mahalbalipuram, Rameswaram, Covelong, Kanchipuram, Kanyakumari, Pondicherry, Tirupati are some of the tourist spots in and around the city. Chennai is well connected by rail, road, air and even sea (being a coastal city). So, people have a world of choice to get to Chennai. There are many trains from different parts of the country to Chennai. But those who don’t like to waste their important time on the long train journeys, there are many cheap Chennai flights which offer low fares to entice these passengers. Chennai, being a metropolitan, state is well connected by air. Almost all the airlines operate their flights to Chennai as it is a valuable sector for the airlines. One can book the air tickets in India from various travel agencies or through the online booking portals or even directly from an airlines websites. Kingfisher, Air India, Jet airways are the prominent international flights and full cost carriers operating whereas Spicejet, Indigo, Go air, Jet lite are the low cost carriers providing cheap fares to its passengers. These low cost carriers are no frills airlines. Low frills are those airlines that don’t provide any food or entertainment as part of the ticket. Food and entertainment, although, can be bought while in flight. Airports are the gateways to a city. It is the airports which help in developing a perception about a city. Many people judge a city from its airport as that is literally the first thing they get off to in a city. Chennai airport (IATA Code – MAA) is located 7 km south of the city in tirusulam. It is the third busiest domestic as well as international airport of the country only behind Delhi and Mumbai. The domestic airport is named after Kamaraj, former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, whereas the international airport is named after Annadurai, former late chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Modernization and expansion of the airport is being carried out by AAi (Airport authority of India). Acquisition of nearby land along with proposed new runways is part of the project. This project would bring in a new domestic terminal and expansion of the current international terminal. Expansion of the airport would increase the airport capacity which in turn would generate more revenue for the airport. Flying to Chennai is not an expensive affair anymore and with its modernized airport it provides the perfect gateway to the city.