Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Chennai Airport to Install 36 Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines
Chennai Airport previously had machines that provided sanitary napkins in women's restrooms.
The machines stopped working after complaints that some people were misusing them.
Television actor Latha Rao said she had trouble finding a napkin when she unexpectedly got her period at the airport.
She had to travel from one gate to a pharmacy near another gate.
She said the experience caused her considerable stress before boarding.
Airport officials said passengers can currently call a number in the restrooms for help.
An airport woman employee is expected to bring a napkin within two minutes.
Officials plan to install 36 new machines by the end of September.
The Airports Authority of India will install 36 sanitary napkin vending machines at Chennai International Airport by the end of September.
The machines were temporarily discontinued after airport authorities received complaints that they were being misused.
Television actor Latha Rao described struggling to find a sanitary napkin after unexpectedly getting her period at the airport.
As an interim measure, women passengers can call a number displayed in restrooms and receive a sanitary napkin from an airport employee within two minutes.
Airport officials said the vending machines would be restored by October 1, when passengers should have easier access to sanitary products.
- Who
- The Airports Authority of India, Chennai airport authorities, women passengers, and television actor Latha Rao.
- What
- Chennai International Airport will receive 36 sanitary napkin vending machines after concerns over the temporary suspension of the previous facility.
- When
- The new machines are planned by the end of September and are expected to be available from October 1.
- Where
- In the women's restrooms at Chennai International Airport; Rao's trip was from Chennai to Hyderabad.
- Why
- The facility was temporarily discontinued after complaints of misuse, while Rao's account highlighted the difficulty of obtaining emergency menstrual hygiene products.
Passenger concerns
Airport authorities' response
Access to emergency menstrual products
Passenger concerns
Latha Rao's experience highlighted the difficulty and stress of obtaining a sanitary napkin when the restroom vending machines were unavailable.
Airport authorities' response
Airport officials said an interim system allows women passengers to call a displayed number and receive a sanitary napkin within two minutes.
Why the vending machines stopped operating
Passenger concerns
The temporary discontinuation left passengers dependent on a pharmacy or assistance from staff during emergencies.
Airport authorities' response
Authorities said the facility was suspended after complaints of misuse and was not permanently scrapped.
Future availability
Passenger concerns
The incident prompted questions about whether menstrual hygiene products were reliably available throughout the airport.
Airport authorities' response
The Airports Authority of India plans to install 36 machines by the end of September and said passengers should not face difficulties from October 1.
- Planned machines
- 36 sanitary napkin vending machines
- Location
- Women's restrooms across Chennai International Airport
- Installation deadline
- End of September
- Restored access date
- October 1
- Interim assistance
- Passengers can call a number displayed in the restrooms for help
- Expected response time
- An airport woman employee will bring a sanitary napkin within two minutes
- Reason for suspension
- Complaints that the earlier vending machines were being misused