Now, Jet Airways ops shift to Terminal 2

After Vistara and Air India, domestic operations of Jet Airways will now relocate to Terminal 2 from March 15.

With all domestic operations gradually shifting to T2, the city airport is projected to witness tremendous passenger growth in the coming years, transforming it to a leading aviation hub in the continent, aviation experts claim.

Aviation analysts believe that the integration of terminals will lead to several benefits, just like at Japan's Narita airport where international and domestic operations were integrated in 2006. The devolution process brought incremental growth of about one million passengers annually to the airport. The model was replicated at several US, Middle East and European airports, the insiders said.

"Jet Airways' migration of domestic operations to T2 will lead to the integration of domestic and international flight operations in one terminal," Jet Airways said in a statement.

Before opening up of T2, all international airlines operated from Sahar while domestic ones moved from the domestic terminal near Vile Parle.

According to airport operator and airlines officials, the logic behind that shift is that one roof terminal is advantageous as it eliminates the need for passenger transfer, and improves efficiency in operation by bringing together all the airlines operating international and domestic under a single terminal, as well as achieving better economics.

Sources reveal that MIAL is most likely to exploit the area released from relocation of domestic operations for development of real estate. It is already in the process of developing Skycity around the airport, similar to the ones like Bangkok, which will have 24x7 leisure and work zone with hotels, malls, convention centres, restaurants, etc. Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been designated as a 'Special Planning Authority'. Situated in the heart of Mumbai and surrounding the airport, once completed, SkyCity will have excellent road connectivity via the Western Express Highway, Andheri-Ghatkopar-Kurla Link Road and Sahar Road along with key areas around the airport which include, Andheri, Bandra, Kurla, Powai, SEEPZ and Santa Cruz. It will also enjoy metro connectivity that will have close proximity to the Airport.