Can Chennai airport handle Code F aircraft?
Officials from the Airports Authority of India have clarified that Chennai airport is capable of handling Code F aircraft, such as the A380, despite being classified as a Code E airport. While the main runway can accommodate these large planes using special procedures, the airport currently lacks dedicated passenger boarding bridges for them.
Why it matters
Infrastructure readiness for large-capacity aircraft is a key factor in regional economic growth and international connectivity for major metropolitan hubs.
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.
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