Airport to get swankier by the day

Among other features, the year gone by has seen a new terminal readied at the airport for public use. But while 2008 has been an eventful year as far as development at the airport is concerned, a lot is still required to be done especially keeping in mind that 2011 is the target year to complete the airport project.

“Last year was noteworthy for the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), with major initiatives such as opening of the refurbished international terminal 2B. This period was also marked by major recognitions including the Aeronautical Excellence Airport of the Year Award conferred by Frost & Sullivan,” said an MIAL spokesperson.

In 2009, the developments expected at the airport include the refurbished terminal 1A for domestic passengers, a brand new terminal 1C connecting both 1A and 1B and other minor changes in terminals 2B & 2C.

Apart from other such developments, heightened security at the airport will become a permanent feature following the Mumbai terror strikes and Intelligence reports warning of major Indian airports being on the terrorists’ radar. A CISF official, who had spoken to Newsline earlier, said that while there will not be any toning down on airport security, passengers could now look forward to more stringent and individual checks at the airport. This despite the fact that ladder point security, that had been recommended by the home ministry, is still not a common feature at the airport because of shortage of staff among airlines as well as the Central Industrial Security Force.