New Delhi, February 27: Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, on Thursday inaugurated the UDAN Yatri Cafe at Chennai Airport, a move aimed at improving passenger experience and making air travel more affordable and accessible. This is the second UDAN Yatri Cafe, following its successful launch at Kolkata Airport in December of the previous year.
Given the positive response and increasing demand from travelers, the UDAN Yatri Cafe initiative is being expanded across the country. The next step in this expansion is the introduction of the UDAN Yatri Cafe at Delhi Airport, which is currently under process, as shared by DIAL CEO, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, during a media interaction.
Strategically located in the pre-check area of the T1 domestic terminal at Chennai Airport, the UDAN Yatri Cafe offers passengers affordable and hygienic refreshments. The menu includes a water bottle for Rs 10, tea for Rs 10, coffee for Rs 20, samosas for Rs 20, and a sweet of the day for Rs 20.
Addressing the media, Naidu emphasized that the UDAN Yatri Cafe is a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for inclusive flying, aimed at making air travel more convenient, accessible, and affordable for the general public. “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,” Naidu said, highlighting the importance of the facility at one of the oldest and now the fifth busiest airports in India, handling over 22 million passengers annually.
Further, Naidu highlighted ongoing infrastructure improvements at the airport, including the expansion of Terminal 2 to support international operations. Terminals 1 and 4 are also undergoing refurbishments with an investment of over Rs 75 crore. Additionally, a comprehensive traffic flow management system costing Rs 19 crore is being implemented to alleviate city-side congestion.
Chennai Airport, which operates entirely on green energy and is home to a 1.5 MW solar power plant, continues to focus on enhancing passenger convenience. Free buggy services for senior citizens and pregnant women, dedicated childcare rooms, medical facilities, and modern lounges all contribute to a comfortable and seamless travel experience.
The UDAN Yatri Cafe aligns with the goals of the UDAN scheme (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), which aims to make air travel more accessible to the common man while modernizing airport infrastructure across the country.