Tuesday, April 23

Juhu Aerodrome: The first and oldest Airport of India

The Juhu Aerodrome is located in Juhu, Mumbai’s affluent residential district. It is the first and oldest Airport in India. Small General Aviation planes and helicopters use it. Juhu, India’s first civil aviation airport, built in 1928 and operated as the city’s major airport until World War II.

Commercial activities were relocated to the much larger RAF Santacruz in 1948, which was built 2 kilometers east of Juhu airfield during WWII. JRD Tata landed at Juhu airfield in 1932, marking the start of India’s first scheduled commercial postal service.

Juhu Aerodrome present functions

The aerodrome currently handles small General Aviation aircraft and all Mumbai helicopter operations. The Bombay Flying Club, as well as various executive and light aircraft and gliders, are based there. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which operates the airport, proposed extending runway 08/26 into the water to allow larger planes to land in 2010, however the Ministry of Environment and Forests denied approval.

With the 2011 New Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) guidelines allowing for roadways on stilts, the Airports Authority of India declared in January 2012 that it will go forward with its proposal to extend the runway at Juhu Aerodrome into the sea once more.

Juhu Aerodrome Areal View
Source:  Niranjan Basarkar

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Juhu Airport after redevelopment

To relieve congestion at CSI Airport, all small private aircraft activities, like as Beechcraft B-200 and Cessna C-90, are being relocated to Juhu Aerodrome. This was supposed to happen by the 10th of January, 2011. This has been postponed owing to a lack of infrastructure and security concerns. The airfield is now being upgraded from Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) as part of this relocation (VFR).

The Maharashtra Home Guard is now guarding the airport, but it will soon be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is in charge of security at all major airports in India. The Juhu airport has been sanctioned for a contingent of 174 people, with CISF infrastructure being housed in a rebuilt hangar. AK-47s and INSAS rifles will be used by CISF personnel.

It will also have a mobile Quick Response Team (QRT). A perimeter wall is also being constructed around the property. The CISF, on the other hand, has refused to assume command of airport security unless a perimeter wall is constructed.

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Juhu Aerodrome contact and address info

Ashok Kumar Verma, Airport Director
Address: Airports Authority of India, Juhu Airport, S.V. Road, Vile Parle West, Mumbai, Maharashtra,400056

Is Juhu Aerodrome was first commercial Airport in India

Yes, Juhu Aerodrome was first commercial Airport in India.

How to reach Juhu to Juhu Airport?

By Bus 🚌

You can take Bus Bus no. 200, 201, 224, 422, A-201, C-12, C-33, there are three station to have a walk.

Daulat Nagar 12 min walk
Parsi Colony 16 min walk
Juhu Beach 16 min walk

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