Plan to divert pvt planes to Juhu deferred

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has deferred its plan to divert private planes to Juhu because of technical glitches in air traffic management and lack of passenger infrastructure on Monday.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has deferred its plan to divert private planes to Juhu because of technical glitches in air traffic management and lack of passenger infrastructure on Monday.

HT Image

In the lines of shifting private choppers to Juhu that happened last December, AAI wanted to shift private charters out of the international airport to de-congest it. However, AAI officials said simultaneous operations of private planes and scheduled traffic are difficult because of the close proximity between Juhu and Mumbai airport. “We are awaiting certain clearances from the Delhi headquarters,” said PK Agarwal, regional executive director, AAI.

AAI officials said the Juhu runway lacks the necessary lighting and its length needs to be extended. Juhu also lacks a passenger terminal, which has a dedicated VIP terminal for private charter users.