Despite the start of a project to refurbish Mumbai's main runway next month, the airport expects a whopping 15%-20% rise in passenger growth this year after 26 million passengers travelled through the facility in 2009.
Refurbishment of the main runway is part of a transformation plan at Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport from being a government run airport that culminates with the construction of a new terminal in 2013, says airport general manager of corporate communications Manish Kalghatgi.
Runway refurbishment projects have limited some of the airport's operations, but Kalghatgi says the slot scheme used to manage traffic during the infrastructure improvements will only be in place this year and next.
Upgrades of Mumbai's main runway are scheduled for completion in about six months, and Kalghatgi remains confident Chhatrapati Shivaji will grow beyond the 46 international airlines currently operating from the airport.
Source: Flight Daily News
