Free WiFi finally arrives for international passengers at Chennai airport after 2-year delay

The service was introduced after repeated requests, especially from international flyers who needed connectivity for tasks like booking cabs and contacting family after arrival.

Passengers using Chennai airport’s international terminal now have a new convenience, free WiFi. The long-awaited facility was launched on June 26 and has quickly gained popularity among both Indian and foreign travellers, TOI reported.

According to the airport officials, the service was introduced after repeated requests, especially from international flyers who needed connectivity for tasks like booking cabs and contacting family after arrival.

On the very first day of the launch (June 26), 421 passengers logged into the WiFi network. By Saturday, June 29, that number had grown to 636 users. The airport officials expect this number to rise steadily, as around 18,000 international passengers pass through Chennai airport every day.

To make access easier, authorities have installed four self-service kiosks, two in the departure area and two in the arrival hall. Staff have also been deployed at these kiosks to assist passengers, especially those unfamiliar with the process. If users face any issues, the airport has promised quick solutions as well.

According to the TOI report, passengers can use up to 500 MB of free data or browse for 45 minutes, whichever comes first. Those with Indian SIM cards can connect to the WiFi by entering an OTP sent to their phone. For foreign nationals who do not have an Indian number, they must scan their passport and boarding pass at one of the kiosks. This generates an OTP on a printed slip, which they can then use to log in.

The airport had previously been criticised for not having WiFi in its international terminal. Foreign travellers in particular had difficulties booking cabs or communicating after landing, often relying on outside help or facing harassment from touts. “The WiFi will help foreign nationals book a cab from inside the terminal, instead of getting hounded by touts and extorted in the name of the ride,” TOI quoted Girish Natarajan, a frequent flyer and private company employee, as saying.

Airport officials also mentioned that the rollout had been delayed for nearly two years as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) explored ways to make it a revenue-generating service. With the new free model now live, travellers are finally getting the seamless connectivity they have long needed.