Summer 2024: Mumbai Airport takes a call to increase number of Flights

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport operated by realty giant Adani Group is set to increase the number of flight from the airport. They decided to increase 8% flight in this summer 2024.

The airport is expected to experience 951 daily movements during the summer schedule of 2023, up from 882. A total of over 6,657 weekly movements are anticipated, indicating an 8% rise in weekly flight operations. 

The summer schedule is set to run from March 31, 2024, to October 26, 2024.

In a media statement, the airport told,  "With travel gaining momentum in India, CSMIA is poised to serve passengers with improved connectivity and an enhanced flight schedule this summer, adding convenience and comfort to travellers. There will be an increase in services to international destinations like Paris, Doha, and Hanoi and to the newly introduced route - Tashkent."

IndiGo, the airline which has the highest market share and fleet size in India, is set to operate 1,255 weekly departures. Meanwhile, Air India will have 539 weekly departures, and Vistara will have 519 weekly departures. The number of weekly flights to Delhi, Srinagar, Ayodhya, and Kolkata will experience a significant boost. Specifically, there will be an extra 27 weekly flights to Delhi, 28 to Srinagar, 14 to Ayodhya, and 9 to Kolkata.

CSMIA acknowledges the requirements of passengers and the increasing desire for air travel. Travelers will encounter 682 domestic and 269 international flights to various international locations, which also include the recently introduced routes.

Vistara will operate 5 weekly flights to Paris and daily flights to Hanoi, 4 weekly flights to Doha by Akasa Air to Doha and Uzbekistan Airways will arrange  two weekly flights to Tashkent.

In February's onset, the Ministry of Union Civil Aviation enforced a limitation on slots.

MOCA explained saying, "While Mumbai Airport is running at its full capacity, it was found that the persistent congestion was caused due to excessive slot distribution with limited time margins on behalf of the airport operator. Witnessed non-adherence of the slots on behalf of the airlines and Non-scheduled operations during peak hours."

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has set forth regulations that restrict air traffic movements during designated time frames, including 0800-1100 hours, 1700-2000 hours, and 2115-2315 hours. Consequently, general aviation aircraft operations are limited from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

In a statement, The Ministry of Civil Aviation informed, "The air traffic situation at the Mumbai post above initiatives is being monitored and has shown improvement from 19th Feb’24 onwards. MoCA is closely monitoring the air traffic situation at Mumbai and is committed to reducing the inconvenience caused to the travelling passengers."