Majority of the 18,000 passengers who use the domestic terminal at Chennai Airport everyday might continue to witness difficulties as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to operationalise the new terminal building by April 2012 without facilities like in-line baggage system and aerobridges in place.

Airlines too have decided to protest against the non-availability of these facilities at the new terminal building.

“We are planning to submit a letter to the AAI requesting for these facilities before opening the new building. Till such time, we are not moving into the new premises,” said a senior domestic airline official seeking anonymity.

“All modern airports have these basic amenities for passengers and without these, the existing problems of overcrowding and longer queues will continue at the new terminal,” the official added.

While the in-line baggage system helps passengers to checking-in directly at a counter while getting their boarding passes, the aerobridge saves time spent in travelling by bus to the waiting aircraft.

When contacted, an aviation expert said that it was within the rights of the airlines to protest against non-availability of the in-line baggage system, which helps in the smooth flow of passengers through to the security-hold area.

He, however, also noted that not many low-budget carriers might be interested in paying for aerobridges.

Additional airport director Mr H.S. Suresh confirmed the AAI was planning to use the existing standalone machines instead of an in-line baggage system and commission the new terminal without new aerobridges. “The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security wants higher level of security and we are waiting to comply with their specifications for in-line baggage system,” he added.