Chennai: Passengers may struggle sans cabs

CHENNAI: The state government may have allowed domestic flight services at the city airport but passengers will struggle to reach the airport on time as autorickshaws, cabs and public transport are not available.
Passengers who do not own vehicles will have a tough time reaching the airport or leaving it post arrival since cabs are not operated. Airports Authority of India (AAI) has requested the state government to allow cabs or buses for passengers but it did not receive a favourable response.
Besides, the airport expects a large number of cancellations as the state government has allowed only 25 arrivals per day.The schedule released by the ministry of civil aviation earlier had 53 arrivals and 52 departures a day from Chennai. “Airlines may have to cancel a few departures because only 25 arrivals are allowed. They will not prefer to fly back empty as it will lead to a loss. Since the announcement by the state government came post 10pm on Sunday, we don’t know how many flights will have to be cancelled,” said an airport official.
An AAI official said the first few flights will see stranded passengers arriving. “They may have homes here and may arrange their own transport from the airport. But those who want to reach the airport may have a tough time and they will have to reach the airport earlier than usual too.”
While, the SOP issued by the state government said passengers can use prepaid taxi available at the airport, only 200 or less taxis are available.
Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) national president D Sudhakara Reddy said, “Passengers are going to suffer because the Centre has created a mess. As the ministry of civil aviation decided to start the services without consulting state governments, the latter started opposing the move. Now, the state government has allowed flights but passengers will now have to deal with cancellation and refund issues.”