UDAN Yatri Cafe Inaugurated at Chennai Airport: A Major Step Towards Passenger Convenience

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, inaugurated the UDAN Yatri Cafe at Chennai International Airport, marking the second such facility under this pioneering initiative. The move is a significant step towards enhancing passenger convenience and aligning with the broader vision of making air travel more accessible, affordable, and seamless. This milestone follows the success of the first UDAN Yatri Cafe, which was inaugurated on December 19, 2024, at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, commemorating the airport’s 100th anniversary.

The Success of Kolkata’s UDAN Yatri Cafe

The UDAN Yatri Cafe at Kolkata Airport has received an overwhelmingly positive response from travelers, who have praised the quality, taste, and affordability of the offerings. The success of the initiative in Kolkata has led to increased passenger demand for similar facilities at other airports across the country. Responding to this enthusiasm, the Civil Aviation Ministry has now expanded the initiative to Chennai Airport, a crucial hub in Southern India.

Chennai Airport: A Vital Aviation Hub

Chennai International Airport is among the oldest and the fifth busiest airport in India, handling over 22 million passengers annually. Referred to as the southern gateway of India, the airport plays a pivotal role in domestic and international air travel. The UDAN Yatri Cafe at Chennai Airport aims to further enhance passenger convenience by offering high-quality food at reasonable prices, aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to make air travel more inclusive.

Ongoing Expansion and Infrastructure Developments

In addition to inaugurating the UDAN Yatri Cafe, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu also announced several key infrastructure projects aimed at upgrading Chennai Airport’s facilities:

Expansion of Terminal 2

An 86,135 sq.m. expansion of Terminal 2 is underway to boost international operations.

Refurbishment of Terminals 1 and 4

Renovation work on Terminals 1 and 4 is progressing, with an investment of over ₹75 crore to improve passenger experience.

Traffic Flow Management System

A ₹19 crore traffic management system is being implemented to ease congestion and improve accessibility in the airport’s surrounding areas.

Focus on Passenger Comfort and Green Energy Initiatives

Beyond infrastructure development, Chennai International Airport is committed to ensuring maximum passenger comfort through various services:

Enhanced Passenger Services

Free buggy services for senior citizens and pregnant women.
Childcare rooms, medical facilities, and modern lounges for an improved travel experience.

Green Energy Commitment

The airport operates entirely on green energy, contributing to environmental sustainability.
A 1.5 MW solar power plant has been installed as part of this initiative.

Significance of UDAN Yatri Cafe and the UDAN Scheme

The UDAN Yatri Cafe aligns with the government’s UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which aims to democratize air travel by making it more affordable and accessible. The scheme has been instrumental in expanding regional air connectivity and improving airport infrastructure across India. The launch of the cafe in Chennai represents another major milestone in the initiative’s expansion.

Dignitaries and Officials in Attendance

The inauguration ceremony was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including:

Dr. T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Tamil Nadu.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Representatives from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Chennai International Airport.

Summary of UDAN Yatri Cafe Inauguration at Chennai Airport

Aspect	Details
Why in News?	Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, inaugurated the UDAN Yatri Cafe at Chennai International Airport, the second such facility under this initiative.
First UDAN Yatri Cafe	Established at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, on December 19, 2024, marking the airport’s 100th anniversary.
Success of Kolkata’s Cafe	Received positive feedback for quality, taste, and affordability, leading to increased demand for similar facilities at other airports.
Chennai Airport’s Significance	One of India’s oldest and fifth busiest airports, handling 22 million passengers annually, known as the “Southern Gateway of India.”
Objective of UDAN Yatri Cafe	Enhances passenger convenience by providing high-quality food at reasonable prices, supporting the UDAN scheme’s goal of affordable air travel.
Key Infrastructure Announcements	– Expansion of Terminal 2 (86,135 sq.m.) for international operations. – Refurbishment of Terminals 1 & 4 (₹75 crore investment). – ₹19 crore Traffic Flow Management System to ease congestion.
Passenger Comfort Initiatives	– Free buggy services for senior citizens and pregnant women. – Childcare rooms, medical facilities, and modern lounges.
Green Energy Initiatives	– Chennai Airport operates entirely on green energy. – A 1.5 MW solar power plant installed.
UDAN Scheme Connection	UDAN Yatri Cafe aligns with the government’s UDAN scheme, aiming to make air travel affordable and accessible by enhancing airport infrastructure and services.
Dignitaries Present	– Dr. T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Tamil Nadu. – Senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. – Representatives from AAI and Chennai International Airport.