News Archive » 

Mumbai airport: not as bad as you think

Originally published on www.businesstraveller.asia 09/07/2009 - Filed under: News » News » News Archive »

• Print
• Send

Airports in India have long been notorious for outdated infrastructure, poor service and sub-standard safety procedures, but that appears to be slowly but surely changing.

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) – named after a noted 17th century ruler – is undergoing a massive refurbishment and expansion programme. Work to produce an integrated passenger terminal, catering to both international and domestic passengers, kicked off in 2006 with results being unveiled in stages.

The package of improvements includes among others:

• A total of 184 check-in counters in both domestic and international terminals
• 65,032sqm of retail, dining, lounges and travel services again in both terminals
• Ability to handle 9,900 passengers during the peak hours
• A new Rapid Exit Taxiway which started operating last November

Business Traveller went through Mumbai Airport, experiencing both its international and domestic terminals in the period between June 23 and July 2, and could not report any major inconvenience – considering that work is ongoing – except for two outstanding ones: the traffic around Sahar where the facility is located (but that’s a Mumbai-wide problem) and when departing, bottlenecks in the security process (women travellers though will happily discover their queue is always shorter than the men’s).

All hand-carry items must be tagged, if not, the security personnel will definitely send you back to the check-in counter to secure one.

After being cleared, passengers take the escalator down to the departure hall, which is anchored by a spacious and well-lit retail and food “lane”. At the moment, offerings are still basic, meaning there is a DFS store and fast-food staples like Pizza Hut and a noodle bar and even an Indian Film Festival Academy-themed café, IIFA Buzz.

Airline lounges such as those of British Airways and Jet Airways are also located in this area.

Seating by the various gates still seems inadequate, especially during full flights, leaving a number of passengers to stand fidgeting. Some gates have mobile phone recharging kiosks.

Mumbai Airport is still a work-in-progress and more changes will come on line in the months ahead.

THE FUTURE: The masterplan for CSIA includes construction of a brand-new integrated terminal, designed by leading architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill able to handle 40 million passengers a year.

For further information see, www.csia.in

Margie T Logarta

Read more about...

• India
• Indian airports
• Mumbai

Bookmark with:

COMMENTS » 

bombayteddy - 18/08/2009 16:38

Mumbai's International airport certainly has a few more shops than before, which is so typical of this country....putting show over substance. Because there is no "conveyor belt" (what DO they call those things?) for passengers, making the long walk from arrival-gate to immigration interminable. And ONE buggy-cart available for those who cant walk. Also, no separate line for premium-class passengers at the SINGLE security facility serving several departure-gates, with serpentine queues. Escalators that do not work. Grumpy, apathetic staff. Still more queues in Customs, even in the Green channel. And a ghastly mess as you exit, with the irony of having to trundle your luggage a considerable distance to the parking-lot in case you have a car waiting, as kerbside pick-ups are not allowed!! In fact, whenever I arrive, being a "proud Indian", I just know I have come home.

M.Moose - 25/08/2009 16:11

I recently (early August 2009) experienced Mumbai International Airport and I must say that I was totally surprised by the progressed it has made. I've been a regular traveller to Mumbai from 2006 - 2008; however have not been there for most parts of 2008 till recently. Yes, Mumbai Airport has it's distinctive characteristics described above, but the progress in the overall design, ambience, cleanlilness, restaurants, lounges, etc. is very admirable. You can now actually get a decent place to have a cup of coffee or tea. The restrooms are more acceptable now. Air-conditioning is great. Excellent lighting. The challenge is for them to maintain it well!

ADD A COMMENT »