Mumbai: GVK MIAL’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) has accomplished yet another feat adding to its long list of achievements by emerging as the only single-runway airport in the world to cross the 45 million passengers mark, breaking a global record.

In 2016-17, the airport saw 45.2 million passengers passing through its terminals, representing an 8% rise in volumes Y-O-Y. In 2006, when Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Limited took charge, the airport saw merely 18 million passengers annually.

Driven by increased flight services on long-haul routes, the airport’s capacity growth can be attributed to the active encouragement given to international carriers to operate wide-bodied aircrafts on direct routes. The airport, having an original design capacity to handle 40 million passengers, has been continuously upgrading itself to cater to the enormous thrust of passengers transiting through the city every day.

Recently, the airport welcomed two Airbus A350-900 XWB aircrafts that resulted in CSIA becoming the only airport in India to handle daily operations of two of the world’s most advanced premium passenger aircrafts.

As a key gateway to the country, CSIA has also facilitated the launch of new routes which include direct flights from Mumbai to Paris, Beijing and Frankfurt, to name a few.  The airport has transformed itself into an embodiment of efficiency by handling more than 12.4 million international passengers in a year, and over 48 aircraft movements per hour, reaching upto 52 movements during peak time.

From around 453 air traffic movements in a day in 2006, the airport has grown to handle 800+ movements daily. In terms of cargo shipments, the airport has grown from 532 thousand tonnes in 2007-08 to 782.9 thousand tonnes of cargo in 2016-17.

With a vision to become one of the best airports in the world, the Mumbai International Airport has redesigned and improved its infrastructure and operational procedures in order to enhance the airport capabilities. To augment its operational efficiency, CSIA expedited a host of projects and initiatives which include constructing Rapid Exit Taxiways, widening of runways and taxiways and improving airspace management. As a result of these initiatives, the airport has been able to seamlessly accommodate an increasing number of travellers.

Witnessing 18.6% of all of India’s traffic, CSIA is considered one among the leading airports in South Asia. CSIA currently has an extensive network which takes passengers to over 95 domestic and international destinations. Moreover, the airport has the scope to provide non-stop connectivity to major regions of the world, including Asian destinations such as China, the Philippines and Indonesia; along with Australia; North America; and Europe.