Mumbai will land world-class airport terminal in 5 years

MUMBAI: A single multi-storeyed terminal will be set up at the Mumbai international airport in five years, as part of the second phase of its revamp. This terminal will be connected by a monorail to the domestic terminal and a six-lane road to the Western Express Highway.

Passengers can, however, expect improved facilities in the next 60 days. The Mumbai International Airport Private Ltd (MIAPL) hopes to put some amenities in place by August 13 (see box).

As for the new terminal, MIAPL has promised to incorporate state-of-the-art facilities adhering to the standards maintained by Singapore’s feted Changi airport.

In fact, Changi’s designers are part of an MIAPL review committee.

“The new terminal will be able to handle double the current passenger load,” said GV Sanjay Reddy, MIAPL managing director. Currently, 22 million passengers use Mumbai airport annually.

Once the new terminal becomes operational, the existing terminals will be designated for use by low-cost carriers.

Meanwhile, MIAPL is looking at the feasibility of laying an additional runway parallel to one of the two existing runways.

While simultaneous use of the runways may not be permitted, because international norms mandate a minimum distance, the additional runaway could ease traffic pressure.

For the new runaway to be built, a few airport facilities, including Air-India’s hangar, would have to be relocated. The issue is currently being deliberated.