CSIA snippets

More check-in counters, enhanced passenger capacity, quick service and a world-class feel. These are only a few of the many improved facilities that the Mumbai airport’s new integrated terminal—for which the foundation stone was laid on Friday—will offer air travellers. The new terminal, which will accommodate both domestic and international travellers, is likely to be ready by 2012. Chief minister Ashok Chavan and civil aviation minister Praful Patel were present at the programme. Currently, the airport handles 26 million passengers annually. However, once the Xshaped new terminal is ready, passenger capacity will rise to 40 million. The number of check-in counters will go up to 182 from 135 at present for smoother check-in. Car park capacity, too, will jump to 12,000 slots from 3,600. Forty-eight aero bridges are likely to be added. Aircraft parking, currently a major concern, will be tackled with the addition of 22 parking lots to the existing 84. “Modernisation of Mumbai airport is a challenging project due to the land constraints it faces. However, we are trying our best to achieve it while keeping the airport operational,’’ said Sanjay Reddy, managing director at Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd. The new terminal building, which would have a total floor area of 4.3 million square metres, would comprise four levels. Level IV would have a common entry point for both international and domestic departures. While the international passengers would board from the same level, domestic passengers would take the flight from Level III. Arriving passengers will land on Level II of the building, leaving the first floor for taxi and bus services. The number of baggage reclaim belts will also be raised to 14. “Apart from this, the number of immigration counters too would be increased corresponding with the needs of rising passenger traffic,’’ said a Mumbai International Airport spokesperson. The reconstruction procedure started a couple of months ago with the demolition of Terminal 2A at Sahar. While demolition of the entire terminal would still take three months, work on the new terminal would start simultaneously. Apart from improved efficiency in handling passenger and aircraft movement, the integrated terminal would also boast of seven lakh square feet of retail space, comprising duty-free shops, food courts, outlets for branded goods, book stores and other travel services.