Mumbai Airport's Efficient Passenger Movement Through Multiple Gates

Mumbai Airport, officially known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, is the second busiest airport in India. It is located in the suburbs of Santacruz and Sahar Village in Vile Parle East, around 28km north of Central Mumbai. The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminal 2 (international and some domestic flights). Terminal 1 is located in Santacruz and Terminal 2 in Sahar. Both terminals are physically separated and are around 5km apart, with a free shuttle service offered to passengers for transfer between the two.

Terminal 1 is for domestic flights and Terminal 2 is for international flights, with some domestic flights

Mumbai Airport, officially known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, is located in the suburbs of Santacruz and Sahar Village in Vile Parle East, around 28 kilometres north of Central Mumbai. The airport is the second busiest in India in terms of total and international passenger traffic, and it handled 52.8 million passengers in the 2023-24 fiscal year.

The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2), which are located in separate complexes in Santacruz and Sahar, respectively. Terminal 1 is dedicated to domestic flights, while Terminal 2 handles international flights and some domestic flights. These terminals are about 5 kilometres apart, and transferring between them can take between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Terminal 1, also known as Santacruz Airport, was once Mumbai's first integrated passenger terminal. Over time, it was divided into three sub-terminals: Terminal 1A, Terminal 1B, and Terminal 1C. Terminal 1A, the oldest of the three, was shut down in 2016. Terminal 1B, which is used for domestic arrivals and departures, is now simply referred to as Terminal 1. Terminal 1C, which served as a connecting terminal between 1A and 1B, was closed after Jet Airways dissolved in 2019.

Terminal 2, located in Sahar, has four levels: Level 1 for transport, Level 2 for arrivals, Level 3 for domestic departures, and Level 4 for international departures. This terminal has an area of 210,000 square metres and can handle 40 million passengers annually. It has 192 check-in counters and 60 immigration counters for departing passengers, along with 14 baggage carousels and 76 immigration counters for arriving passengers.

Terminal 1 has 11 boarding bridges and a capacity of 10 million passengers per year

Terminal 1 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, formerly known as Sahar International Airport, is located in Santacruz. It is used for domestic flights and has a capacity of 10 million passengers per year. The terminal originally consisted of three sub-terminals, 1A, 1B, and 1C, but Terminal 1A, the oldest, was shut down in 2016. Terminal 1B was renamed Terminal 1 in 2017 and is used for domestic arrivals and departures for airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, and GoAir. Terminal 1C, which connected 1A and 1B, served as a boarding-only facility for all airlines and had six boarding bridges.

Terminal 1 has 11 boarding bridges, the highest number of any airport kerbside/landside in the country. This means that Terminal 1 has more boarding bridges than any other domestic terminal in India. The terminal offers a seamless travel experience with modern facilities, efficient transit services, and various amenities that cater to the needs of travellers.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is the second busiest airport in India, handling a record of 52.8 million passengers in the fiscal year 2023-24. It is located around 28 kilometres north of Central Mumbai and is easily accessible by bus, train, taxi, or auto-rickshaw. The airport is a major gateway to India, serving as an important hub for both domestic and international travel.

Terminal 2 has 192 check-in counters, 60 immigration counters, 14 baggage carousels, and 76 arrival immigration counters

Terminal 2 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is a hub of activity, with a range of facilities and services designed to cater to the needs of departing and arriving passengers. This terminal stands out for its impressive size and efficient management of passenger traffic, as evidenced by the following features:

Check-in Counters: Terminal 2 boasts an extensive array of 192 check-in counters, ensuring that departing passengers can efficiently complete the check-in process, even during peak travel times. This ample provision of counters helps to streamline the flow of passengers and reduce potential congestion.

Immigration Counters: In addition to the check-in counters, there are 60 immigration counters dedicated to departure procedures. This allocation of resources ensures that travellers can swiftly navigate through the necessary immigration checks before boarding their flights.

Baggage Carousels: Upon arrival, travellers can conveniently retrieve their luggage from one of the 14 baggage carousels available at Terminal 2. This number of carousels helps to expedite the baggage claim process, especially during busy periods with multiple flights arriving simultaneously.

Arrival Immigration Counters: To manage the influx of incoming passengers, Terminal 2 is equipped with 76 arrival immigration counters. This substantial number of counters facilitates the smooth and timely processing of arriving travellers, contributing to an overall positive travel experience.

These features of Terminal 2 reflect a well-designed and passenger-centric approach to airport management, ensuring that travellers can efficiently navigate through the various stages of their journey, whether departing or arriving at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.

The airport is 25-28km north of Mumbai's city centre

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is located 22km to 28km north of Mumbai's city centre. The airport is the second busiest in India and serves as the primary gateway to the country, alongside Delhi Airport.

There are two ways to get to the city centre from the airport: by taxi or by train. Mumbai is known for its heavy traffic, so the duration of the journey can vary. A taxi ride can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. The train is a cheaper option, but it is not a direct route. It involves taking a taxi, rickshaw or bus to Vile Parle or Andheri Station, and then boarding a train to either Marine Lines or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. This commute can take around 20-30 minutes.

The airport is well-connected to the city, with various transportation options available, including buses, trains, taxis and auto rickshaws. The distance from the airport to the city centre is about 35km, and tourists visiting Mumbai can easily travel to and from the airport.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 at Santacruz for domestic flights and Terminal 2 at Sahar for both international and domestic flights. Terminal 1 is the original Santacruz building, which was once integrated but was renamed Terminal 1 after the opening of the Sahar building. Terminal 2 covers a land area of 210,000 square metres and handles both domestic and international passengers. It includes new taxiways and apron areas for aircraft parking, designed to accommodate 40 million passengers annually.

The airport is named after 17th-century Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, India, is named after Shivaji, the 17th-century Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire. Shivaji, who lived from 1630 to 1680, was a prominent ruler and military leader known for his strategic prowess and contributions to Maratha history and Indian history more broadly.

The airport was originally called Sahar Airport due to its location in the suburbs of Sahar Village and Santacruz in Andheri. However, in 1999, it was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport to honour Shivaji's legacy and his significance in the region's history. The title "Maharaj" was added to the airport's name in 2018, becoming Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The airport is a significant transport hub, serving as the second busiest airport in India in terms of total and international passenger traffic. It is also known for its modern facilities, efficient transit services, and convenient lounges, providing travellers with an excellent experience.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has two main terminals, Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminal 2 (international), which are located about 5 kilometres apart. Terminal 1, also known as Santacruz Airport, is the original terminal and has been refurbished several times. Terminal 2, located at Sahar Village, handles international arrivals and departures, as well as some domestic flights.

The airport offers a range of services and facilities for passengers, including money and communication services, luggage services, medical facilities, conference and business centres, lounges, childcare rooms, parking, shopping, and a variety of food and beverage options.

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