Chennai to Nagpur Air India Flights

  About Chennai

Chennai falls in the top 10 cities of India with an illustrious history and thriving heritage. The 369-year-old city is one of the most developed cities in India and stands proudly as the capital of Tamil Nadu. Formerly known as Madras, the city of Chennai is known for its glorious history, arts and culture and its ardent enthusiasm towards automobiles. The city is also known as India's health capital as attracts the highest number of foreign tourists with 45 percent catering to health. The thriving city's melange of a modern vibe and traditional roots makes it one of the best urban cities in the world. The airport has excellent flight connectivity to and from Chennai and other domestic and international cities. You can make your flight bookings to Chennai as well as find a range of hotels to book from in the city.

Best time to visit Chennai

As Chennai is a tropical city located by the coast, the temperatures are incredibly high. Even the seasons are binary. The summers in Chennai are between April to June but is hot for the rest of the year too. The monsoon season in Chennai takes place twice in a year. While it receives scanty rainfall between June to September (as opposed to the rest of the country, which receives bountiful rain), the months from October to December see heavy rain in the city, owing to the north-east monsoon. The climate is hot and humid all-round the year, but December is the most pleasant time in the year to visit Chennai.

Places to visit in Chennai

Beaches

As Chennai rests comfortably on the coastal parts of Tamil Nadu, the city has some pristine beaches to check out. Touted to be the second-largest urban beach in the entire world, the Marina Beach is the jewel of Chennai with a shoreline of 12 km long. The sandy shores of the beach teamed with the exquisite Colonial buildings on the street-side make for quite a spectacle.

While Marina Beach is more on the populous side, to enjoy the serenity of a quieter beach, you can visit Edward Elliot's beach and Breezy Beach, to name a few. These beaches are quaint and attract individuals who need to step away from the city's bustle. The peaceful ambience of these beaches has turned into quite the tourist attractions in Chennai.

Temples

The temples in Chennai are centuries old and found aplenty. Every corner of the street has at least one temple. These temples have fascinating stories and exquisite architecture. The temples are known to have a specific structure in South India with detailed gopurams, enormous water tanks in the back of the temple, domestic animals such as cows and dogs, hawkers selling toys and snacks, quaint ponds and shrines of several deities. Some of the famous temples in the city that you can visit are the Kapaleeswarar Temple, the Parthasarathy Temple, Sri Ramakrishna Math-Universal Temple, Kumaran Kundram and Karaneeswarar temple.

The city is also home to a bunch of churches and mosques. In fact, the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Thomas can be found in Chennai. The shrine is believed to be built over the tomb of St Thomas the Apostle, who had visited India in 52 AD. After his death, the saint's body is said to have been buried under the same spot where the Basilica now stands. Other notable churches and mosques include St. Thomas Mount, St. Mary's Church, Big Mosque (Wallajah Mosque) and more.

Museums and Monuments

Chennai's rich culture is reflected not just from the slew of temples and coastal delights but also the monuments and museums in the city. Since the city was also under the direct influence of the British East India Company, much of the architecture, culture and infrastructure have an English vibe. Visit the National Government Museum to learn more about the city's history. You can further go on an artistic voyage by visiting the National Art Gallery, which is more than 100 years old.

Ecological parks

Another major highlight of the city is the number of ecological parks and gardens that can be explored. The city runs a crocodile preservation park as well as a snake park called the Guindy Snake Park. Sprawled across 280 hectares of land is the Guindy National Park which is known to be the smallest national park in India. While the national park is inhabited by very few flora and fauna, it does hold a dedicated space to preserve reptiles and other amphibian species. Besides these two, one can opt to visit the Arinjar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur Zoo, which is located in the outskirts of the city.

Things to do in Chennai

Chennai is heavily invested not just in the automobiles but also the literary, arts and culture fields. To them, dance and music play a significant role in their daily lives. In fact, the city also observes a bunch of festivals such as Madras Music Season, Madras Day, The Hindu Lit for Life and Chennai Book Fair to commemorate some of their indulgences. These events are a rage and definitely worth attending. You can visit some of the music and dance functions held by the Nungambakkam Cultural Academy Trust, The Music Academy in TTK Road, Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha and Indian Institute of Music and Arts to name a few.

Another fun activity to take up would be to watch a movie of a South star at one of the single-screen or even a multiplex. The fervour of fandom during the release of their favourite celebrity's movie release is euphoric and definitely worth experiencing. As for bibliography enthusiasts, you can visit the Theosophical Society to explore the library set by Anne Besant. There are various malls with high-end fashion brands that you could check out. Or you can always go to Pondy Bazaar in T Nagar to shop silk ensembles and golden accessories.

Food and Restaurants in Chennai

T Nagar and Anna Nagar in Chennai are known market places with many food and restaurant options too. In fact, some of the best joints in the city can be found here. One of the most popular restaurants, Saravana Bhavan, is a must-visit to get the best of South Indian vegetarian food. Sri Anandam Hotel, Geetha Cafe in Pondy Bazaar, Rathna Cafe in Triplicane and Karpagambal Mess in Mylapore are some of the best restaurants that will you give quite the experience of the delicious South Indian cuisine. Dakshin and Southern Spice also offer tasty food.

However, if you do wish to explore a little more, Mansuk's shop in T Nagar is known to emulate Mumbai-chaat and Gujarati Thali. For sweets and desserts, you must let your tastebuds acquaint with Mysore Paks, Tarti Paal and other such sweets, which you will find at Sri Krishna Sweets and Aavin corners. DOJO Kulfis is also a famous hub for traditional ice creams such as kulfi, faloodas and smoothies.

How to reach Chennai

By Air

After Delhi airport and Mumbai airport, the Chennai airport is the third most active airport in India for domestic as well as international departures and arrivals. The airport is divided into two terminals, the Anna Terminal reserved for international flights and the Kamraj Terminal for domestic flights. Located in the same long stretched airport, the flight connectivity to and from Chennai is excellent.

Not just domestic but even international cities are well-connected with Chennai. Major international flight routes from Chennai to cities such as London, Frankfurt, Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East, New York, Hong Kong, etc. can be reached as flights are available from Chennai Airport. Since Chennai is one of the busiest cities in India, the flight demands are also quite high. Make your flight bookings to Chennai months in advance to avoid high ticket costs.

Another perk of the Chennai airport is how it is well-connected with the city too. While it is located in the outskirts, the airport has a Metro which directly connects with the main city, making travelling far more convenient.

By Rail

There are two central stations which connect Chennai to other major cities in the country. Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore are the two central stations with regular trains entering and exiting the city from different parts of India. While Chennai Central is known to connect the city to other cities, Chennai Egmore has intercity trains that run regularly. Interestingly, both the stations are well-connected with the Chennai airport.

Chennai Central sees trains coming in from cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Madurai, Ahmedabad and Coimbatore daily. Since the rail connectivity is so good, it is often considered by travellers. You must book your rail tickets well in advance as the demand is always high to travel to Chennai.

By Road

The city's bus station is touted to be one of the largest in Asia. Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) is a state-owned property and provides transport services to a plethora of destinations in the South of India. Located in the main city, there are several direct buses to the airport as well as the Egmore station. Considered to be a cheap and affordable means of travelling, you can visit Chennai as long as your location is in the neighbouring states. The travel time to Pondicherry, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Trivandrum, etc. is considerably low.

  About Nagpur

Nagpur, popularly known to the country as the 'City of Oranges' is the second capital of the state of Maharashtra. With booming markets and extensive development, the city has played a vital role in contributing to the state as well as the country's economy. Nagpur also has an international airport which directly connects to Middle Eastern countries. The city is considered to be a winter capital for Maharashtra because of the pleasant drop in the temperature. With its unceasing development, the city's tourism is also seeing a tremendous ascent. Many hoteliers are coming up with accommodation options for travellers. You can book a hotel in Nagpur with a range of facilities for a comfortable stay.

Best time to visit Nagpur

Nagpur's climate is mildly humid and dry as it is away from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Being smack down in the middle of the country does come with some good perks in terms of the pleasant climate. The winters in Nagpur between October to March is considered perfect for travellers to visit the city. In fact, December and January have the best tropical winters that you can experience in the city. Sadly though, the summers are just as bad with temperatures shooting up to a fearsome 49 degrees Celsius during the day. Even though flight tickets to Nagpur during summer is cheap and affordable, it certainly would be a health risk and not ideal for a travel rendezvous.

Places to visit in Nagpur

Nagpur has been working towards improving its tourism and has done quite an excellent job with it. They built the Deeksha Bhoomi stupa in 2001, which is considered to be the largest stupa in Asia. The Buddhist monument is a place you should visit in Nagpur because of the calming vibe and energy that the site holds. Nagpur has quite a few tiger reserves with Pench Tiger Reserve being one of the well-maintained ones. It is easily one of the most interesting tourist attractions in the city thanks to the accommodation options it serves. You can actually book a hotel in Nagpur's Tiger Reserve and spend the night, possibly hearing growls of the big cats.

On the outskirts of Nagpur, there are a bunch of places that would pique a tourist's interest. Ramtek Fort and Temple are some of the iconic places. The fort and even the temple are known to be one of the spots where Lord Rama rested before commemorating his voyage to bring back wife Sita and defeating Ravana. The view from the fort though, is splendid. With its connection to the Hindu mythology, the place captures interests of a lot of devotees, who make sure to take the trip and check out the place.

Within the city of Nagpur, there is the famed Raman Science Centre, an educational complex with entertaining activities at your service. If it is a family trip, then you should definitely check out the science centre which explores secrets of the universe. It is in the city centre so travelling shouldn't be a concern. Usually, the Raman Science Centre hosts a lot of exhibitions and such events to attract enthusiasts to mingle.

It is interesting to note that Nagpur has quite a lot of Buddhist monuments and attractions. The Dragon Palace Buddhist Temple, located about 20 km away from the main city, sees Buddhists from around the world, come over to visit the temple. The setting of the temple complex is serene and soothing. There are areas reserved for meditation practices and gardens too, in the vicinity. The place certainly has a charm which makes it one of the best escapes from the city's hustle-bustle. You will be awestruck by the sheer beauty and serenity of the vicinity at the Buddhist temple.

Things to do in Nagpur

Nagpur's food culture might make you want to explore more of that space. Something we also recommend because you'll be amazed by the plethora multitudes of cuisines ready to blow your mind. However, the city's many lakes are also waiting for you to visit. You can take up camping at Ambnazari Lake as an option. The pristine lake with its serene surrounding would help you feel calm and composed. If camping is not possible, then you can always head to the Futala Lake and Gorewada Lake for a day picnic. The lakes see many tourists flock over regularly.

An interesting addition of things to do in Nagpur would be to visit the Japanese rose garden. The garden has been constructed and preserved by using techniques propagated by the Japanese natives, making it quite the place for cultural exchange. You can actually learn a few things and even purchase saplings from the place, if allowed. A designated tour guide would take you through the garden.

Food and Restaurants in Nagpur

Nagpur's fame might come from its vibrant variety of oranges, but food culture is quite incredible. You would expect the city to promote a certain speciality cuisine like many usually do. However, Nagpur is simply here to show you that they've got a taste for a global platter. From Moroccan to American, you'll find yourself amazed by their tasteful choices. The city does have quaint restaurants that offer the classic Maharashtrian delicacies that many enjoy. However, more than that, they have food joints and line of restaurants that offer more than just Indian cuisine. This growth has come about in the last few years.

If you're craving an English Breakfast in the middle of the afternoon, then you don't have to wait for the next day to explore options! Nagpur's The Breakfast Story caters to such cravings as it is an all-day breakfast setting. Interestingly, the restaurant changes its menu regularly with the classic breakfast dishes still intact on the menu. Nanking Mayfair's 3-decade long presence in Nagpur's food industry has given it quite the cult status among people. The Asian food served at Nanking is marvellous. Do check out their kung pao chicken when you visit the city! The city's best though is Zuree, a classy restaurant with fine dining scenes. From the plush location to the chic interiors to the plethora of dishes influenced by European, Italian, Moroccan and Indian cuisines, Zuree is certainly one place you shouldn't miss.

For some more fine dining setting, you can check out The Creative Kitchen by Radisson Hotels, Fountain Sizzlers & Bistro and Barbeque. As for those who want a simple yet sublime ambience, check out Thaat Baat, Veeraswami and Naivedhyam which proudly flaunt South Indian dishes.

How to reach Nagpur (Transportation)

By Air

Nagpur's Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport serves as a domestic as well as an international airport. The Nagpur airport has quite some historical significance for partaking in the Second World and also commissioning an intriguing "Night Air Mail Service". The service mainly focuses on four planes leaving prominent cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata with mail load in the night to exchange them at Nagpur. Flight connectivity to and from Nagpur is exceptional as it caters to several domestic as well as international cities. The domestic routes from Nagpur connect with cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Indore and more.

Connecting flights from these cities to and from Nagpur are also available, making travelling to the city favourable. The city's airport caters to Middle Eastern cities by charting international flights from Nagpur to Sharjah and Doha. The domestic airlines serving from Nagpur airport include IndiGo, GoAir, Air India and TruJet. As for international airlines, the city has Air Arabia and Qatar Airways serving flights to and from Nagpur. The city certainly sees a good number of travellers travelling from flights. Airport shuttles are available if you book a hotel in Nagpur before arrival.

By Rail

Nagpur has quite the reputation for having one of the best-connected railways in India. The construction of the railway tracks overlapping each other to form a diamond cross-connects the city to every direction in India. There are myriad express trains that connect Nagpur to cities such as Bangalore, Trivandrum, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai and more. Travelling by trains is also considered to be suitable for travellers as the travel duration is also accommodating. The railway station is also well-connected to the city centre, making transit within the city easier. You can book a hotel in Nagpur, close to the station as there are bountiful provisions for the same.

By Road

The road connectivity of Nagpur to other cities is also excellent. The city is linked to some well-maintained national highways that help with the connectivity. There are intercity, interstate and intrastate bus services available to make transport convenient for people residing in Nagpur and for the ones visiting. From AC deluxe to ordinary non-AC, there are many options also that one can choose from to travel. Private bus providers have services reserved for Nagpur from cities like Hyderabad, Pune, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Indore, Surat and more. Plus, tickets to Nagpur come at a reasonable price. The Nagpur Bus Sthanak and Mor Bhawan are the two bus terminals where all buses halt as a final stop.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.

  About Chennai Airport

Chennai International Airport serves as the international airport to the city of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu. The airport is situated in Tirusulam, which is about 21 km away from the city centre. It has been recognised as the third busiest airport in the country in terms of international traffic as well as cargo capacity. The airport falls behind New Delhi and Mumbai to be on the list of the busiest airport. The Chennai International Airport is also the fourth busiest in India, with respect to passenger traffic and follows New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. In India, the airport falls in the top five list of busiest international and domestic airports. The Chennai International Airport has also been acknowledged as the 49th busiest on the Asia level, becoming one of the four top cities to be on the top 50 Asia list. The airport is perfectly connected with Chennai Metro as well as Tirusulam railway station, which falls in the Chennai Suburban Railway line.

About Chennai Airport Terminals

The airport has two terminals which have been named after the state's former chief ministers. The domestic terminal is also known as K. Kamaraj while the international terminal is named C. N. Annadurai. They are interconnected by a building. The building now serves as an older international block that deals with administrative offices, along with a restaurant. The whole stretch is one linear structure that was built additionally as Anna terminal (T3) was brought about in 1988 to align with the Kamaraj terminal (T1). The first domestic terminal that was built at the Chennai airport had two aero-bridges. This was considered a milestone as the Chennai airport became the first one in the country to have aerobridges in the domestic terminal. Terminal 1 and 2 are not used for passenger traffic any more. They have been reserved for cargo. Meanwhile, the newly built Terminals 3 and 4 serve the international departures and arrivals. Annadurai terminal deals with international passengers. The terminal has about 45 check-in counters, 38 immigration booths with 16 at the departure terminal and 22 at the arrivals and 18 customs counters which are at the departure as well as arrival terminal.

About airport authority

Earlier, the Civil Aviation Department handled the Chennai Airport in 1952. However, the operations were later taken over by the Airports Authority of India in 1972. Since then, there have been extensive infrastructural development plans and schemes that have been conducted. Much recently, the airport underwent some extensive construction to modernise the amenities prevalent in the airport. The new international terminal (T4), was built just while ago. Simultaneously, the existing international terminal (T3) was renovated, and a second runway was extended. The parallel runway also includes new taxiways, parking bays as well as a cargo terminal. The Airports Authority of India is responsible for working on the designs, maintenance and management of the airport. Not to mention how AAI brings forth funds to expand the development projects and schemes for the airport. The statutory body has also introduced two sustainable gardens which have been installed within the airport premises. Along with this, they have worked towards many other expansions.

Facilities at the Chennai Airport

Child care rooms: The Chennai airport has reserved specific rooms for mothers with infants. The space is perfect for feeding, changing table and other such activities to take care of the kids. The room is perfectly maintained and is regularly sanitised.

Wheelchair services: The airport also has wheelchair services that have been reserved for senior citizens, expectant mothers and passengers with medical ailments. You can find these services at the departure and arrival gates of both the terminals.

WiFi: WiFi services have also been provided at the airport. There is free WiFi that is available for close to 45 minutes in the premise. You can also find paid services of WiFi for better connectivity and longer duration of access. You will need an Indian phone number to get hold of the services.

Medical aid: The airport also has special medical kits and rooms available for emergencies. To ensure that emergency cases are tended to with prompt medical assistance, there are kits and services available at close intervals. There are health scan facilities also available at the airport to get a better understanding of the medical concern if need be.

Prayer rooms: Multi faith rooms have been reserved for passengers. The prayer rooms are open for people of all faith as there are religious books also present in the hall. These rooms can also be used as meditation halls.

Lost and found: Lost and found facilities are also available at the airport premise. Details of the same can be received at the information desk. A few dedicated spaces have been allotted at close intervals for lost and found desks.

ATMs and Forex: The airport has a slew of ATM kiosks and foreign exchange counters at regular intervals to help passengers. In case you are running short of cash or need to exchange some currency, you can find counters at the airport.

Post Office: One of the cool facilities that the airport has is postal services. There are courier services and post offices in the airport vicinity. You can find them at both the terminals. This can be ideal for last-minute mails and documents that need to be sent out.

Restaurants and cafes:

Chennai airport has a bunch of hotels and famous food establishments. The airport cafeteria has many options to choose from for food. From Indian cuisine to dishes from the international kitchen, there are many choices that can be made for food while you wait to board the flight.

Smoking zone: The airport has dedicated smoking rooms too. The rooms also have provisions for cigarette boxes, in case passengers run out of them or need to purchase them.

Baggage wrapping: The luggage facilities at Chennai airport are also good. Aside from trolley services and luggage counters to store them, the airport also has baggage wrap services. The airport is equipped with professional staff that package the bags with plastic to avoid various concerns ranging from baggage mishandling to thefts.

VIP lounge: Chennai airport has reserved halls for VIP lounges. Individuals with first-class flight tickets and premium memberships with specific airlines will have access to the VIP Lounge. The lounge services are quite good and upscaled.

Top airlines flying from the Chennai Airport

Domestic flights flying from Chennai Airport are from Terminal 1. The Chennai International Airport is touted to be the HQ of the Airports Authority of India, with states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Lakshadweep and Puducherry under its wing. The Chennai airport has immaculate connectivity with most of the Southern cities and hence, has various domestic airlines catering to the same. Airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, Air Asia India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, TruJet and Vistara, operate from the Chennai International Airport. These airlines have flights connecting to specific small towns within the Southern belt and hence, make the airport an important hub.

Along with the domestic airlines that operate from the city, there are a plethora of international airlines that also function from the airport. A majority of flights connecting to Australia and New Zealand have airlines available. The most important international airlines that operate from Chennai Airport are Air Arabia, Air Austral, Air Canada, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Air Seychelles, Air Asia, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Batik Air, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, EgyptAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, flydubai, Flynas, Garuda Indonesia, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kuwait Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Maldivian, Malindo Air, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Saudia, Silkair, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Thai Air Asia, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines and Virgin Australia. Terminal 3 and 4 are reserved for international airlines as departures and arrivals take place from them.

How to reach the Chennai Airport

The Chennai International Airport is located on the National Highway 32, also recognised as the Grand Southern trunk Road. The highway is known to be a famous link that connects the city to other important cities in Tamil Nadu. The best way to reach the Chennai International Airport is by opting for its closest railway station, the Tirusulam railway station. The station falls on the Suburban railway network. Often this route is considered as it directly connects with the city centre. Another famous route connecting the city centre to the airport is via the metro station. The airport metro station falls in the Chennai Metro line. The metro line is also considered to be the ideal way to reach the Chennai Airport. Aside from the Tirusulam railway station, the Metro station is favoured more. It is also acknowledged to be the second metro station which connects with an airport in India.

There are expansion plans that are in the making to make the connectivity to Chennai airport better from the city centre. It has been announced that a direct tube will be constructed to bridge the distance from the metro station to the Chennai airport. Flyovers are also being erected to connect the metro station directly to the departure and airport terminals. Simultaneously, the government is also planning on facilitating a connection between the Tirusulam train station with the metro station.

  About Nagpur Airport

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport or better known as Nagpur Airport is an international airport that serves the city of Nagpur in the state of Maharashtra. Situated about 8 km south-west of Nagpur in the town of Sonegaon, the airport was originally founded during the First World War as part of the Royal Air Force. The airport underwent renovation during World War II when it was utilised as a staging airfield by the Royal Air Force. Eventually, as the Britishers left the country following independence, the airport's management was transferred to the Indian Government. The new management expanded the terminal buildings and constructed a new building to install better facilities ranging from refreshments to restrooms. It covers an area of close to 1355 acres. Nagpur Airport was named after the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, BR Ambedkar. It handles about 7,500 passengers in a day and accommodates five domestic airlines and two international airlines. The airport is sprawled across 1,460 acres of land and is also the home of AFS Nagpur, which is part of the Indian Air Force. The growth in passenger congestion is a result of travellers who visit the city from the state capital, Mumbai.

About Nagpur Airport terminals

Nagpur Airport has only one new integrated terminal building that came into existence in 2008. The new integrated terminal building has the capacity to accommodate 550 arriving and departure passengers at peak hours. Further, as part of the terminal's upgradation, 20 check-in counters and 20 immigration counters have been installed by the airport authority. They have installed several modern amenities and facilities including passenger bridges with a visual docking guidance system, accommodation for 600 cars in the parking garage, eight parking bays for flights and newer baggage conveyor belts. An approach road has also been constructed to connect the new integrated terminal building with the main highway to enhance the city-side network. The domestic terminal is located on the gro9und level and has two boarding gates with an additional one that can be used during emergencies. The airport also has the capacity to hold about 325 aircraft operations for both departures and arrivals. A Hajj terminal is also present at the airport which is used seasonally when the airport hosts pilgrims to Jeddah.

About Airport Authority

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is owned by the Airports Authority of India while its operations are handled by Mihan India Private Limited (MIPL). The airport authority has made some significant changes in the upgradation and modification of Nagpur Airport for the better. The existing building has witnessed a massive change in terms of upgradation of amenities and expansion of facilities to cater to the passengers. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport received its new integrated terminal building in 2008, thanks to the works of the Airports Authority of India as well as MIPL. The Airports Authority of India also plans to construct a whole new control tower along with the technical block to help enhance the navigation facilities that are currently present at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport.

The airport authority, Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN), has been working towards introducing a massive economic project. It is recognised as one of the biggest economic development projects, in terms of investments, that is currently underway in the country. The project is divided into two parts, an international airport that would function as a cargo hub and a special economic zone (SEZ) inclusive of residential zones that would cover about 40.25 km² are in the southern end of the city. Multiple banks are financing the project as it has raked in a whopping INR 30,000 crore of investment. The target of the project is to serve 14 million passengers and handle a cargo of 0.87 million tonnes. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2035 and is estimated to generate revenues worth INR 5280 crores. The project kicked off in 2005 and since then, has seen a significant rise in property rates in Nagpur.

Facilities at the Nagpur Airport

WiFi - Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport offers unlimited free WiFi services to its passengers. The process to connect with the airport's WiFi network is quite simple and can be done in a jiffy. Not to mention how the internet speed is also quite decent.

Special assistance – Nagpur Airport has facilities to cater to the needs of senior citizens and disabled passengers. The airport has a set of trained staff who can provide special assistance such as escorting the passenger to the airport terminal, helping them with the baggage services, taking them through the procedures of check-in and security checks and much more. The staff stays close to the passenger until they board the flight.

ATMs – There are ATM kiosks that have been installed at the domestic and international airport terminals. You can make cash withdrawals and also get money exchange done at another counter.

First aid rooms – Medical services and first aid rooms have also been installed at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. The main idea behind adding medical services in the list of facilities is to ensure that any medical emergencies are taken care of immediately. Along with first aid rooms, the airport also has pharmacies placed in both the terminals. In case you need some specific medication, you can visit the medical stores and purchase the same.

Child care room – The airport has also made provisions for passengers travelling with infants. There are child care rooms that can be utilised for feeding and changing for the infants. The space offers privacy and is a healthy environment too. The parent can relax and help out the baby with the cleaning and feeding activities.

Baggage – Some of the baggage services that Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport provides include baggage wrapping services, free trolleys, baggage storage booths, porter services and much more. The airport also has baggage reclaim conveyor belts and other such facilities that help to enhance the experience of the passenger.

Currency exchange – Considering how the airport also caters to international flight activities, there are currency exchange counters also added to the list of facilities. Nagpur Airport also provides decent exchange rates and also has provisions of money transfers.

Smoking areas – Dedicated smoking zones have been installed at the airport. Both the terminals have a smoking lounge to ensure that passengers do not light up a smoke in the public lounge space. The smoking zones are regularly cleaned and maintained perfectly well.

Duty-free shops – There are duty-free shops also available in the airport premise. You can purchase imported items at a very low and reasonable price. These can be taken back as souvenirs too.

Lounges - The airport has three lounge facilities available. Out of the three, two of them are located in the domestic terminal while the third one is located in the international terminal. Two of the lounges are recognised as Travel Club lounge, which basically enables many travellers to come over and enjoy the hospitality and services rendered by the facility. As for the third lounge, it is called Cinnamon Lounge. The perks of all the lounge are that they have a slew of facilities ranging from free WiFi to entertainment content that can be availed. There are fabulous restaurants that are part of the lounge facility. The food is phenomenal while the hospitality is exquisite. The seating is also quite comfortable, and the experience as a whole is comforting.

Top airlines flying from Nagpur Airport

Nagpur Airport is the second most important airport in the state of Maharashtra. Along with many domestic cities that the airline connects to, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport also caters to a few international destinations. Some of the important airlines that operate from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport include Air Arabia, Air Asia, AirAsia India, GoAir, IndiGo and Qatar Airways. These airlines connect to cities such as Sharjah, Delhi, Mumbai, Raipur, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Goa, Pune, Indore and Doha. With the expansion plans commencing, the idea is to add more airlines and cities in their list of connections.

How to reach Nagpur Airport

By Rail

The current Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport terminal is connected perfectly well with the Airport Metro Station of Nagpur Metro. The airport is one of the city airports in India to have a metro link connection. Located on the Orange Line of Nagpur Metro, the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport can be best reached by metro. The metro has scheduled trains to reach Nagpur Airport and has a frequency of 15 minutes. The city and the airport's metro connections make traversing within the city of Nagpur far more convenient.

By Road

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is right on the National Highway 44 and is connected by a six-lane highway. As a metropolitan city, Nagpur has local transport facilities such as taxi cabs and private rentals that can be availed from within the city to reach Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. You can hail cabs from the city to reach Nagpur Airport.