After a five-year wait, much to the relief of air passengers, the new domestic terminal at the Chennai airport is finally up and running.

For most passengers, who for long have been frustrated with the archaic and poorly-maintained old terminal, the new one is a welcome change.

Margarita Afanasyeva from Russia is currently learning dance at Kalakshetra. She frequently flies back home, and says she has seen a marked difference in the quality of service and ambience at the new terminal.

“I particularly love the design aspect of the terminal with its glass structure. The arches spanning across the ends look spectacular. The new terminal is a welcome change for regular travellers,” said the 25-year-old.

“The old terminals used to resemble our railway stations. They were congested and suffocating,” said Sapna Barhanpure, a passenger from Hyderabad.

“The new terminal definitely looks stylish and comfortable but I doubt it can be compared to Delhi or Hyderabad. It will be far more of a pleasure to spend time in it now, but I’m certain there is still room for improvement,” she said.

For most, cleaner washrooms and an uncluttered baggage collection area seem to be the best features of the new terminal.

“I used to dread the Chennai airport primarily because the washrooms were terribly dirty. Now, they are spic and span. I only hope they remain this way,” said K. Neeraj, a resident who frequently travels to Delhi.