Members of the Disability Rights Alliance recently met AAI officials and raised concern over the existing ten-minute time period for vehicle drop-offs and pick-ups.
| Photo Credit: VELANKANNI RAJ B.
In what could give relief to persons with disabilities, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued car parking passes that will give them additional time to board and alight from cabs, without having to pay parking fares, at Chennai airport.
Members of the Disability Rights Alliance (DRA) recently met AAI officials and flagged their concerns about some of the issues they face at the airport. One concern was that the ten-minute time period for vehicle drop-offs and pick-ups was not sufficient for them, and they have had to pay a parking fee.
Following the discussions with DRA members, AAI has begun giving car parking passes that provides them with an additional five minutes to enter and exit the airport.
Smitha Sadasivan, a member of the DRA and a frequent flyer, said: “This is definitely beneficial, and we are glad that the time period has been extended for persons with disabilities.”
She recounted the instances where she had to pay ₹350 at the exit toll gate as she needed more time to board or alight from her vehicle.
Persons with disabilities, who have a departing flight, can collect the pass at the airport’s entry toll gate or the ‘May I Help You’ desk and hand it over to the driver so that he can return it at the exit toll gate. Similarly, those who arrive and book a cab can ask their driver to collect the pass for them from the gate or the desk, she said.
“In case persons with disabilities arriving at the Chennai airport need assistance to get the pass, among others, they can contact the number 6379428539,” she added.
While for a start, this additional five minutes will be useful, Ms. Sadasivan said the AAI could consider giving another five minutes for those with very severe disabilities.
She added that they would need assistance to go till the counter once they alight from the vehicle.
Officials of the AAI said they would offer any assistance needed for persons with disabilities. “If we have to coordinate with airlines or ask them to make any arrangements, we are ready to do it,” an official said.
Published – November 15, 2025 11:49 pm IST
