The new Integrated Terminal Building (NITB Phase-I, T2) of Chennai Airport is undergoing final trials prior to operationalisation in coming days.
The NITB operations will commence in a phased manner and the first trial run of International operations is expected to be conducted on 25th April 2023. US-Bangla airlines, flying Chennai-Dhaka sector will be first to operate from the New Integrated Terminal Building.
As the NITB is moving ever closer to welcome its first flight, the trail dock in of aircraft at new aero bridges* (bay 26 &27) were conducted today using Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. The trial dock in and calibration of A-VDGS (Advanced Visual Docking Guidance System) were successful, as they are critical for aircraft/pilot to dock at the exact position in front of the gate.
The new aero bridges installed on fixed link bridges for New Integrated Terminal Building are MARS (Multiple Apron Ramp System) configured as each aerobridge can accommodate two (02) code C aircraft (A320, A321, B737) or one Code E aircraft (B777, A350) at a time. Also, first in India, the aero bridges (also called passenger Boarding Bridges) which are part of New integrated Terminal Building (NITB) at Chennai International Airport boasts of “make in India” tag envisioned by Government of India to boost entrepreneurship and Domestic manufacturing in India.
The components used for aero bridge, including the Fixed link tunnel that links the aerobridge with terminal gate are Indian make (50+ % of components including Tunnels, Cabins, UPS, ACs, Cables, etc). All aerobridges are equipped with Advanced Visual Docking Guidance Systems (A-VDGS) which provide active guidance to pilots to support safe, efficient and precise automated aircraft parking during all operating conditions.
The aerobridge is an enclosed, elevated passageway which extends from an airport terminal gate to an airplane allowing passengers to board and disembark an aircraft without the requirement to go outside or to be exposed to the elements.