Mumbai Airport's Runway Infrastructure: A Comprehensive Overview

Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is the second busiest airport in India and has two crossing runways: runway 09/27 and runway 14/32. The airport handles around 900 flights per day and is the world's second busiest single-runway airport.

Mumbai Airport has two runways: 09/27 and 14/32

Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has two runways: 09/27 and 14/32. Runway 09/27 is the airport's main runway and was once the longest commercial runway in India. It is connected to a full-length parallel taxiway to the north via 13 taxiways, four of which are rapid exit taxiways. The runway reconstruction began in September 2010 and was completed in May 2011. The width of the runway was increased from 45 metres (148 feet) to 60 metres (200 feet), with an additional 7.5-metre runway shoulder added on each side.

The secondary runway, 14/32, connects Terminals 1 and 2 and was reconstructed in 2010. The runway shoulders were widened from 7.5 to 15 metres (25 to 49 feet). In 2019, the associated taxiways of the secondary runway were upgraded, and a new rapid exit taxiway was added. This effectively increased the capacity of the runway, which set a record of 47 movements per hour during peak hour traffic in 2020.

Both runways are intersecting and are capable of handling larger aircraft such as the Airbus A380. They are operated simultaneously during peak hours to increase aircraft movement per hour.

Runway 09/27 is the main runway

Runway 09/27 underwent reconstruction between September 2010 and May 2011. The width of the runway was increased from 45 metres (148 ft) to 60 metres (200 ft), with a runway shoulder width of 7.5 m added to each side. The Instrument Landing System (ILS) on 27 starts at 2,900 ft (880 m) and is 9.1 nautical miles (16.9 km) long with a 3-degree glide slope path.

The airport's commitment to maintaining its infrastructure is evident in its stringent maintenance schedule, which includes routine and specially planned runway maintenance. This ensures the smooth functioning of its facilities and helps uphold its reputation for excellence in safety and service quality.

Runway 14/32 is the secondary runway

Runway 14/32 is 2,990 metres or 9,810 feet long, and 75 metres wide. It runs between Terminals 1 and 2, and intersects with the main runway south of the terminal buildings. The runway is used by smaller aircraft, with around 50 flights departing daily during a three-hour slot in the mornings.

In 2023, the runway underwent a major recarpeting project to enhance operational efficiency and maintain safety standards. The project was meticulously planned and executed, with an average of 200 personnel working daily to complete the task. The resurfacing work covered a substantial area, with the runway spanning a length of 2,210 metres (excluding the intersection portion) and a width of 75 metres. The project upgraded all stressed portions of the runway surface by laying about 72,500 metric tons of asphalt.

The completion of the recarpeting project was a significant milestone for the airport, improving the runway's ability to drain off surface water and enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Runway 09/27 was once India's longest commercial runway

Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is the second busiest airport in India in terms of total and international passenger traffic. It has two intersecting runways and handles an average of 980 flights per day.

The reconstruction of the runway started in September 2010 and was completed in May 2011. The runway width was increased from 45 metres (148 ft) to 60 metres (200 ft), with a runway shoulder width of 7.5 m added on each side. The ILS on 27 starts at 2,900 ft (880 m) and is 9.1 nautical miles (16.9 km) long with a glide slope path of 3°.

The airport's secondary runway is Runway 14/32, which runs between Terminals 1 and 2. It has ten taxiways, including three rapid exit taxiways that connect to a parallel taxiway running along its eastern flank.

The airport is named after Shivaji, a 17th-century Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire

Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is named after Shivaji, the 17th-century Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire. Shivaji lived from 1630 to 1680 and was ruler of the Maratha Empire, which was based in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

The airport was originally named Sahar Airport, but was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in 1999, with the title 'Maharaj' being added in 2018. The airport is located in the suburbs of Santacruz and Sahar Village in Vile Parle East, and is the second busiest airport in India in terms of total and international passenger traffic.

The airport has a rich history, with RAF Santa Cruz constructed on the site during the 1930s. During World War II, from 1942 to 1947, the airfield was home to several RAF squadrons. The airport covered around 1,500 acres and initially had three runways.

Over the years, the airport has undergone significant development and expansion to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. In the 1970s, the Santacruz terminal became insufficient to handle the growing number of passengers, leading to congestion issues. The construction of a new international terminal at Sahar began in 1977, with the first phase completed in 1980.

Today, the airport continues to be a major aviation hub, serving millions of passengers each year and playing a crucial role in connecting Mumbai to the rest of the world.

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