Closure of low-cost eatery at Chennai airport irks staff, passengers

CHENNAI: For more than six months, airport staff and passengers have been feeling the pinch after the closure of a low-cost eatery on the ground floor of the Airport Metro station.

The canteen, which served the staff of Airport Authority of India (AAI), and also CISF personnel, airline employees, contract workers and the public, downed its shutters during the first week of February when its contract expired on January 31.

Run by a private contractor selected through an AAI tender, the 24/7 facility offered four price slabs for different user groups. Even for outsiders, a cup of coffee cost just Rs 20 — a fraction of the Rs 250-360 charged inside the terminals.

When contacted, a senior official at the airport said, “A new tender process is underway; the canteen will reopen once an operator is finalised.”

Until then, however, the prolonged closure has left thousands, including taxi drivers and contract workers, with no option but to spend more at other outlets or skip meals. Families seeing off relatives have also lost a budget-friendly spot for a last meal together.

While an internal canteen is available for airport staff and security personnel, it remains out of bounds for passengers. Authorities claimed that low-cost beverages and snacks were sold in certain departure areas, but passengers alleged that the choice was limited in the domestic terminal.

Travellers have urged the AAI to speed up the tender process. “This should have been completed before the old contract expired,” said a passenger, echoing the frustration of many.