CM Vijay Seeks New Operator for Chennai Airport After Parandur Project Drop

The search term cm vijay has trended across India following reports that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has formally requested the Union government to replace the current operator of the Chennai airport. In a letter sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2026, the Chief Minister urged for a change in management to better support the state's industrial growth and business-friendly environment.

Why CM Vijay is Seeking a Change in Airport Operator

The request to replace the Airports Authority of India (AAI) stems from a need for more efficient, globally competitive aviation facilities. According to reports from The Hindu, the state government believes that the current management has led to delays in critical infrastructure projects, such as the cab pick-up point, and that the T3 Terminal remains under construction.

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay specifically identified three key areas requiring urgent improvement to maintain Tamil Nadu's competitiveness as an investment destination:

• Passenger Volume: Improving the overall passenger experience and handling.
• Aircraft Movement: Increasing the efficiency of flight operations.
• Cargo Capacity: Boosting the airport's ability to handle logistics and trade.

The Parandur Project and Future Alternatives

This move follows the state government's decision to abandon the proposed greenfield airport project at Parandur in the Kancheepuram district. The Parandur project was dropped due to significant opposition from local residents and farmers over land acquisition and environmental concerns regarding water bodies and agricultural land.

While the state has shortlisted Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi as potential sites for a future second airport, the government acknowledges that building a new facility will take several years. Consequently, the immediate priority has shifted toward the expansion and potential privatization of the existing Chennai airport to meet rising demand in the interim.

Political Opposition and Financial Context

The proposal has met with resistance from the Communist Party of India (CPI), which views the request as an attempt to privatize a profitable public asset. The CPI argues that shortcomings in administration should be solved through public-sector upgrades rather than private management.

Entity	Reported Profit/Financials	Period
Airports Authority of India (AAI) Net Profit	₹6,522 crore	2025-26
Chennai Airport Profit	~₹492.48 crore	2024-25

Despite these financial gains, the state government maintains that the current AAI management structure—where significant decisions must be vetted by headquarters in New Delhi—consumes too much time and hinders operational agility.