Chennai's Growth Story Needs a New Gateway: Super Chennai Brings Industry Veterans Together to Make the Case for Chennai's 2nd Airport

Chennai, June 12, 2026: As one of India's leading centres for manufacturing, logistics, automobiles, healthcare and technology, Chennai plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth, trade and investment in the country. With the city expanding its footprint across high-growth sectors and Tamil Nadu pursuing its trillion-dollar economy vision, industry leaders believe that strengthening aviation infrastructure will be critical to sustaining this momentum. The need for a second international airport and its potential to enhance connectivity, attract investments, support exports and improve Chennai's global competitiveness formed the focus of a panel discussion hosted by Super Chennai, titled "A Global City Needs Global Connectivity – Why Chennai Needs a Second Airport Now."
Speakers noted that while Chennai has emerged as a major economic engine for the country and a gateway to South India, its aviation infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with the city's growth ambitions. With passenger traffic and cargo volumes continuing to rise, they argued that the second airport should be viewed not merely as a transportation project but as a strategic economic asset capable of unlocking new opportunities across sectors.
J. Krishnan, Partner, S Natesa Iyer Logistics LLP and Governing Council Member, Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said: "Chennai enjoys a rare advantage as both a major port city and an aviation gateway. While we have successfully expanded our maritime infrastructure over the years, aviation infrastructure has not kept pace with the city's growth. As Tamil Nadu strengthens its position in sectors such as electronics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, a second airport is no longer a choice—it is an economic necessity. We must act with urgency if Chennai is to remain globally competitive."
Highlighting the impact on manufacturing and investments, V.K. Girish Pandian, President, Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association, Guindy, said: "Connectivity plays a significant role in investment decisions. Chennai has built a strong manufacturing ecosystem over decades, but investors today compare infrastructure readiness across cities. A second airport can become a catalyst for new industrial clusters, logistics hubs, residential developments and employment opportunities, while strengthening Tamil Nadu's attractiveness as an investment destination."
Discussing aviation infrastructure and its broader economic impact, Vijay Gopalan, former CFO, AirAsia India, said: "The second airport should not be viewed as a luxury project. It is essential infrastructure that will determine Chennai's ability to attract investments, global capability centres, talent and future industries. Cities such as Singapore, Dubai and Bengaluru have demonstrated how aviation infrastructure can drive economic transformation. Chennai now has an opportunity to build an airport ecosystem that supports growth for the next three decades."
Emphasising the importance of long-term planning and execution, K. Phanindra Reddy, IAS (Retd.), said: "The issue is not merely about building another airport; it is about preparing Chennai for future demand. Capacity constraints are already becoming evident, and infrastructure projects of this scale require years of planning and execution. The second airport must be developed alongside supporting road, rail, metro and logistics infrastructure to maximise its economic impact and ensure Chennai does not lose further opportunities."
The panel also highlighted the need for the proposed airport to be planned as a comprehensive economic ecosystem featuring multimodal connectivity, cargo villages, air freight stations, MICE infrastructure, aviation-related industries and technology-enabled passenger services.
The discussion concluded with a shared view that a second airport will be critical to supporting Chennai's next phase of growth and strengthening its position as one of India's most important economic and investment destinations. As Tamil Nadu advances towards its trillion-dollar economy vision, speakers noted that world-class aviation infrastructure will play a pivotal role in enabling future growth, connectivity and global competitiveness.
Super Chennai's panel discussion series will continue as a monthly platform bringing together thought leaders, industry experts and policymakers to discuss key challenges across sectors that impact Chennai's growth.