AAI to deploy 100 people to guide passengers at airport

The staff members will also help senior citizens and persons with disabilities board cabs. | Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ Nearly 100 people are to be deployed to guide passengers who arrive at the Chennai airport.The airport has been facing severe backlash over passengers’ struggles to find and access the cab-boarding point, among other places, for months now.Officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said they had already floated bids to hire the manpower, and that the staff members would join the services within a few weeks.The staff members, wearing uniforms with badges indicating that they are there to assist the passengers, will be present outside the T1 and T4 Domestic Terminals, the T2 International Terminal, and at the multi-level car parking facility, an official said.“Be it assisting senior citizens, pregnant women or disabled passengers in boarding the cab outside the terminal or providing directions to other passengers, the staff members will offer any necessary support to ensure that they can seamlessly exit the airport,” he added.Inadequate signageDevaraj Damodaram, a resident of Chromepet, recollected the hassle he had faced when he landed at the Chennai airport some months ago. “When I exited the domestic terminal, I felt lost and couldn’t find my way out. The signage was inadequate. Finally, I had to get the help of my co-passenger to leave the airport. While this is a good initiative, the AAI should also focus on strengthening the signage,” he said.On social media platforms like ‘X’, some passengers have flagged the need for better wayfinding at the airport. Arun Ganesh, a passenger, said: “At Chennai Airport T2 upper level and I’m lost wondering how to get to the Metro station right in front without asking anyone. Neither is there a direct footpath nor a single sign. Seems like there is a connection from the ground floor, but no obvious way to go down either. Took the road, but that’s not getting me there. At least I’m getting a good look at how this Metro is connected, but I still don’t see how I can make it inside.” Published - September 02, 2026 11:43 pm IST