Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the busiest single-runway airport in the world, continues to grapple with significant delays, especially for flights from major cities like Delhi. As Mumbai remains one of the world’s most congested airports, passengers often find themselves facing prolonged travel times and extended waits on the tarmac.
Cirium data shows Mumbai airport handles around 910 air traffic movements on typical Sundays, including scheduled and non-scheduled operations. On peak days, it surpasses 1,000 movements in a 24-hour period, contributing to the operational strain. Despite efforts to improve On-Time Performance (OTP), the numbers remain concerning. In October, only 55.4% of flights were on-time at Mumbai, significantly lower than the OTP for other major metro airports like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
BJP spokesperson Prem Shukla explained to The Indian Express, “The high number of flights and limited runway capacity are major factors behind the delays. Unlike smaller airports, Mumbai lacks the space and resources to quickly clear air traffic, leading to cascading delays.” He further pointed out that varying airline schedules exacerbate delays, causing congestion during peak hours.
The Mumbai airport’s challenges stem from its single runway, two terminals, continuous maintenance, and the overwhelming air traffic demand. Airlines face delays due to congested Air Traffic Control, but the Navi Mumbai airport, opening in 2024, offers potential relief. The new airport’s proximity to the city and improved road connectivity could help ease pressure on the existing airport. The same operator will manage both airports, which raises hopes that they will redistribute flights to provide much-needed capacity relief.
As the fog season approaches and air traffic is likely to increase, Mumbai’s delays may worsen unless authorities take immediate action. Both the airport and airlines must collaborate to improve the overall passenger experience and reduce the strain on operations.
