Becomes 2nd airport after Kolkata to host pocket-friendly Udan Cafe
Vinod Bhat
Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, today inaugurated the UDAN Yatri Cafe at Chennai Airport, marking the second such facility under this groundbreaking initiative.
The first UDAN Yatri Cafe was inaugurated on December 19, 2024, at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the historic airport.
The Kolkata Cafe has been a resounding success, with travelers expressing high satisfaction with the quality, taste and cost of the offerings. Following immense passenger demand, the initiative is now being expanded nationwide.
At the Chennai Airport, strategically located in the pre-check area of the T1 domestic terminal, the cafe will offer all connected passengers access to hygienic refreshments at following prices:
| S. No. | Item | Rate (Rs.) |
| 1. | Water Bottle | 10 |
| 2. | Tea | 10 |
| 3. | Coffee | 20 |
| 4. | Samosa | 20 |
| 5. | Sweet of the day | 20 |
Addressing the media, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu said, “The UDAN Yatri Cafe is a testament to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of inclusive flying, making air travel more convenient, accessible and affordable for all. Following its successful launch at Kolkata Airport, there has been strong demand from travelers to introduce this facility at other airports. After the eastern gateway of Kolkata, we are proud to bring the UDAN Yatri Cafe to the southern gateway, Chennai Airport which is one of the oldest and now the fifth busiest airport in the country, handling over 22 million passengers annually. We are committed to enhance passenger convenience here and with the Digi Yatra and Trusted Traveler Program E-gates, we are also providing a seamless, end-to-end digital travel experience.”
Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu also shared that the 86,135 sq.m. expansion of Terminal 2 is underway to enhance international operations. Additionally, the refurbishment of Terminals 1 and 4 is progressing with an investment of over ₹75 crore, while a comprehensive traffic flow management system, costing ₹19 crore, is being implemented to ease city-side congestion.
Beyond infrastructure, Chennai International Airport is dedicated to passenger convenience. Free buggy services for senior citizens and pregnant women, childcare rooms, medical facilities and modern lounges ensure that every effort is made to provide a comfortable travel experience. In the media interaction, Minister also highlighted that the Chennai Airport operates entirely on green energy and houses a 1.5 MW solar power plant as part of its commitment to environment.
The UDAN Yatri Cafe inaugurated today aligns with the spirit of the UDAN scheme (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), aimed at democratizing air travel and modernizing airport infrastructure. The event was attended by Dr T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Tamil Nadu, senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, AAI and Chennai Airport, marking another milestone in the Ministry’s mission to enhance passenger experience and connectivity.
