Session Two :

Case Study on Mumbai International Airport: Developing new innovations to achieve first class standards

The second session of day two explored Mumbai International Airport Ltd’s (MIAL) growth strategy and how authorities addressed some key issues that surfaced while upgrading the airport. Frans Bouterese, Head of Planning, MIAL spoke at length about the space constraints caused by unauthorised encroachments and outdated airport facilities. He maintained that development of new facilities will have to be undertaken over and above the existing ones while maintaining regular operations and minimising disruptions.

According to Bouterese, "All construction activity will have to be undertaken in phases and any new development at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) will require significant coordination." He believes that the other side of challenge is opportunity and that they have found suitable solutions to problems of space and coordination. Even though the solution makes their work more difficult, said Bouterese, that's the only way they can go ahead and provide the best of facilities to travellers.

MIAL has started work on a new terminal which will cater to both international and domestic passenger. They have already moved nine airlines from Terminal 2A to Terminal 2B. Eventually they plan to move 26 airlines to Terminal 2B/C from Terminal 2A. Once that is done they can start rebuilding Terminal 2A. They have also refurbished Terminal 2B/C to cater to travellers’ needs till the new terminal is complete. Currently, MIAL is also building a temporary multistorey car parking at CSIA.

The annual passenger traffic at CSIA in 2008 crossed 25 million and is expected to reach 28 million by 2010 from 17.5 million passengers in 2005-2006. MIAL had also increased the capacity of single runway system tremendously. As part of its commitment to provide a world-class airport in the city of Mumbai, MIAL has initiated efforts to create a technology driven business environment and is poised to become a transit hub for South East Asia.