Can Chennai airport handle Code F aircraft?

In the light of the Tamil Nadu government scrapping the massive second airport at Parandur, social media has been abuzz with debates on what the city could be missing out before a new airport is a reality in the future. Among them is why Chennai airport doesn’t handle Code F type aircraft such as A380 (very large wingspan ranges from 65 metres – 80 metres; passenger capacity: over 500).

Officials of Airports Authority of India (AAI) clarify that while Chennai airport is classified as Code E airport the main runway can handle Code F aircraft when special procedures are in place.

A Code E airport can handle long-haul, widebody aircraft such as B777 or A330. The wingspan of such aircraft range from 52 metres – 65 metres with the passenger capacity ranging from 200 to 400.

In the past, on a few occasions, Chennai airport has handled Code F type aircraft but there is no passenger boarding bridge in place for such an aircraft, officials said.

For instance, in October last year, Chennai airport handled Antonov An-124 Ruslan, one of the largest cargo aircraft. In 2019, the airport received two Boeing 747-800 aircraft (Code F). Two years later, two taxiways commissioned at the airport too were suitable to handle Code F type aircraft, officials said.

“The main runway of the airport is capable of handling Code F type aircraft under Specialised Standard Operating Procedures. But we must understand that there are very few Code F type passenger aircraft. We handle several Code E type aircraft for international operations regularly. When there is a scheduled Code F type, we can certainly handle it,” an official said.

Two years ago, in a meeting held with AAI, the Tamil Nadu government had urged to make Chennai airport Code F compliant for regular operations and that it would give an impetus to the State’s economy.