First Airport In India
First Indian Airport - Juhu Aerodrome
Located in upmarket residential suburb of Mumbai in India, Juhu Aerodrome is a famous landmark in Juhu. This aerodrome is brought into use for small helicopters and General Aviation aircrafts these days. Considered first civil aviation airport of India, it was founded in during 1928 in Juhu area. It also had the recognition of being a major airport of the city during World War II period. With the moving of commercial operation into a bigger and more spacious RAF Santacruz in the eastern area at 2 kilometres more due to its increasing demands in 1948, its operations were limited. Country's first scheduled commercial mail service began in 1932 with JRD Tata landing at the Juhu aerodrome then.
All helicopter operations going out of Mumbai is handled by this aerodrome nowadays in addition to its hosting of Bombay Flying Club and numerous executive gliders besides light aircrafts. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), as an owner of this airport, suggested in 2010 for an extension of its runway 08/26 into the sea to make it possible for landing of all larger aircrafts. The Ministry of Environment and Forests though denied permission for that. The Airports Authority of India declared in January 2012 post New Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules of 2011 which permitted making roads on stilts that they would initiate pursuance once again for such extension of runway plan at Juhu Aerodrome into sea for that desired scheme.
History
It was in 1928 that this aerodrome had been formally started as an unpaved airfield. The then newly established Bombay Flying Club had begun using it at that time for air travels, joyrides and teaching purposes.
This aerodrome remained city's airport until and especially during World War II period. The serious drawbacks at Juhu aerodrome at that time were repeated water logging especially on the monsoon arrival and so was the issue of insufficient runways to make take-offs difficult. By replacing bitumen runways with concrete runways in 1937, the runway issue was almost resolved during that period so proper runway and other facilities from hangers and night flying facilities brought new development in a year or so. The two airlines of that era, Air Services of India, Ltd. and Tata Sons, Ltd operated their operation from Juhu aerodrome during that time.
Until a new Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) or Santacruz Airport was built in 1948, this aerodrome remained main airport in the city. Santacruz airport is located at a distance of only 2 kilometres from the Juhu aerodrome which ironically caused confusion amongst pilots. It therefore led for constant noticing by airmen whom Airports Authority of India deputed so that the Santacruz's runway 09/27 mustn't be confused with runway 08/26 at Juhu in any case. Use of Juhu Aerodrome still continued by dignitaries like the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1948 as and Deputy Prime Minister, ailing Vallabhbhai Patel to land at Juhu in December 1950 so that huge crowds of masses coming to greet them at Santacruz Airport could be avoided.
Currently
- Airport Authority of India manages two operational runways of Juhu nowadays. Mainly the runways are used for heliport and private charter flights operation in addition to Pawan Hans carrier use for the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation teams with an aim to make Bombay High oil rigs operation easy. It was in December 2010 that country's first seaplane service, Jal Hans, had begun from the Juhu Aerodrome itself.
- Helicopter operation and all private helicopter charters operation from Mumbai are handled by Juhu Aerodrome itself. All helicopter operations were moved to Juhu in December 2010 while CSI Airport started facing too much congestion. Usually handling approximately 100 helicopter operations daily, this aerodrome has the capacity to easily handle 6 helicopter operations at one go.
- With a plan to decongest CSI Airport, current initiatives were taken to shift all small private aircrafts especially Cessna C-90 operations and Beech Craft B-200 operated from CSI Airport to Juhu Aerodrome. Above plan was taken for incorporation in January 10, 2011 but it got delayed due to security concerns and insufficient infrastructure. It is worth noting that the initiatives are underway henceforth this aerodrome has been transformed into Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) from the existing Visual Flight Rules (VFR) under its upgrading move.
- At present CSI Airport air controllers use their radar to align aircrafts to Juhu flight path prior to handing over Juhu bound aircrafts. As this airport is now fitted with Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) it makes night landing easier for which helicopter operators had made their demands earlier.
- To facilitate independent operations, plan is also made to align the runway 08/26 with CSI Airport's 09/27 runway. At present it has only VIP terminal to handle the private charter movements but the plan is underway to build a new terminal building for easy handling of common passengers. Expansion plan includes extending runway to pending permission area.
- Maharashtra Home Guard is assigned to guard this airport nowadays but very soon this key responsibility will be handed over to Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) which is a major player to offer security to country's prominent airports. With sanctioning of 174 personnel contingent for Juhu aerodrome and permission to use CISF infrastructure, renovated hangar is well operated now. Armed with AK-47s and INSAS rifles, CISF personnel will offer security.
- Vehicle-borne Quick Reaction Team (QRT) will also be included in it. The premises are well protected by a perimeter wall that had been built for such purpose. CISF personnel denied taking charge to offer security to this Airport until periphery wall wasn't constructed.
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