Juhu Aerodrome
Encyclopedia
Juhu Aerodrome an airport
serving Mumbai
, was India's first civil aviation
airport. It is currently used by small private aircraft and as a heliport.
The aerodrome is located at Juhu, an upmarket residential suburb
in northwest Mumbai flanking the city's Juhu Beach along the Arabian sea
.
at Juhu was not suitable during the monsoon.
Much progress had been made in the layout of the ground of the aerodrome by 1932, although the ground was still not fit for use during that year's monsoon.
J. R. D. Tata
, the father of civil aviation in India, made his maiden voyage to Juhu airport from Drigh Road Airstrip in Karachi
, via Ahmedabad
, on 15 October 1932 carrying mail in a Puss Moth
aircraft.
The Tata Airmail Service, as it was called, continued on to Pune, Bellary and Madras.
This was the birth of Air India
which, in 1932 was based here out of a hut with a palm thatched roof and had 1 pilot and 2 apprentice mechanics along with 2 piston engined aircraft, one Puss Moth
and one Leopard Moth
aircraft.
Waterlogging and the absence of proper runways for monsoon take-offs were Juhu's serious drawbacks. The former problem was addressed by 1937 while proper runways, night flying facilities, hangars etc were provided in the following year.
Atleast two airlines were based at Juhu during this period Air Services of India, Ltd. and Tata Sons, Ltd.
The airport served as the city's sole airport till Santacruz airport, now Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport
was built in 1948. It served as the city's airport up to and even during the 1939-45 war. Two bitumen runways were in operation and a third was planned for construction in 1939 but this never occurred.
. It hosts the Bombay Flying Club
along with several executive and light aircraft, gliders
, and a heliport
for private charters and to ferry Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
personnel by carrier Pawan Hans
to offshore oil rigs at Bombay High
.
Jal Hans
, India's first seaplane service was launched at the Juhu Aerodrome in December 2010.
B-200
and Cessna
C-90)operations from CSI Airport to Juhu Aerodrome to decongest CSI Airport. This was to take place by January 10, 2011. However, due to lack of infrastructure and security considerations, this has been delayed. As part of this move, the aerodrome is currently being upgraded to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) from the current Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Currently the air controllers at CSI Airport have to align aircraft to the Juhu flight path using their radar before they hand over the aircraft to Juhu. The airport is also being fitted with a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) to facilitate night landing facilities that have demanded by helicopter operators. There is also a plan to align runway 08-26 with runway 09-27 of CSI Airport to facilitate independent operations. A new terminal building is being built to handle passenger movement, it currently only has a VIP terminal for private charter movements. The runway is also being extended besides permissions pending.
aircraft. The plan was to extend the runway to 2000 meters in phases would ultimately see the airstrip jutting into the sea with reclaimed parts of the famous Juhu beach and seafront, however the permission for the same was denied by the Ministry of Environment and Forests
, Government of India
. Instead, the ministry asked for the conservation of land around the airstrip stating no development should take place there and that it should be conserved as a green open space to compensate the pollution caused by the airstrip.
and can be seen in subsequent scenes as well. Part of the climax of the 2008 film A Wednesday was shot here. The aerodrome was referred to as Juhu Aviation Base in this particular film.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
serving Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, was India's first civil aviation
Civil aviation
Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices...
airport. It is currently used by small private aircraft and as a heliport.
The aerodrome is located at Juhu, an upmarket residential suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
in northwest Mumbai flanking the city's Juhu Beach along the Arabian sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
.
History
The aerodrome started off as an unpaved airfield around 1928. It was used by the newly established Bombay Flying Club for tuition, joy-rides, and air travel.The activities of the club were, unfortunately, limited by the fact that the aerodromeat Juhu was not suitable during the monsoon.
Much progress had been made in the layout of the ground of the aerodrome by 1932, although the ground was still not fit for use during that year's monsoon.
J. R. D. Tata
J. R. D. Tata
Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata was a pioneer aviator and important businessman of India. He was awarded India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 1992 and the Legion of Honour from the French government in 1954.-Early life and education:J. R. D...
, the father of civil aviation in India, made his maiden voyage to Juhu airport from Drigh Road Airstrip in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, via Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
, on 15 October 1932 carrying mail in a Puss Moth
De Havilland Puss Moth
|-See also:-References:* Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . London, Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10010-7-External links:*...
aircraft.
The Tata Airmail Service, as it was called, continued on to Pune, Bellary and Madras.
This was the birth of Air India
Air India
Air India is the flag carrier airline of India. It is part of the government of India owned Air India Limited . The airline operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft serving Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. Its corporate office is located at the Air India Building at Nariman...
which, in 1932 was based here out of a hut with a palm thatched roof and had 1 pilot and 2 apprentice mechanics along with 2 piston engined aircraft, one Puss Moth
De Havilland Puss Moth
|-See also:-References:* Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . London, Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10010-7-External links:*...
and one Leopard Moth
De Havilland Leopard Moth
-See also:...
aircraft.
Waterlogging and the absence of proper runways for monsoon take-offs were Juhu's serious drawbacks. The former problem was addressed by 1937 while proper runways, night flying facilities, hangars etc were provided in the following year.
Atleast two airlines were based at Juhu during this period Air Services of India, Ltd. and Tata Sons, Ltd.
The airport served as the city's sole airport till Santacruz airport, now Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport
Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport , formerly Sahar International Airport, is the primary international airport in Mumbai, India, and is South Asia's second busiest airport in term of passenger traffic....
was built in 1948. It served as the city's airport up to and even during the 1939-45 war. Two bitumen runways were in operation and a third was planned for construction in 1939 but this never occurred.
Current Status
At present, Juhu has only a single operational runway (08/26, 3750 ft/1143 m) and is run by the Airports Authority of IndiaAirports Authority of India
The Airports Authority of India is an organization working under the Ministry of Civil Aviation that manages most of the airports in India. The AAI manages and operates 126 airports including 16 international airports, 89 domestic airports and 26 civil enclaves. The corporate headquarters are at...
. It hosts the Bombay Flying Club
Bombay Flying Club
The Bombay Flying Club is the oldest flying club in India.It is located at the Juhu aerodrome, Bombay .-History:It was incorporated on 29 May 1928, and commenced instructions on 13 January 1929 when they received their first two De Havilland Moth aircraft, presented to them by the Government of ...
along with several executive and light aircraft, gliders
Glider (sailplane)
A glider or sailplane is a type of glider aircraft used in the sport of gliding. Some gliders, known as motor gliders are used for gliding and soaring as well, but have engines which can, in some cases, be used for take-off or for extending a flight...
, and a heliport
Heliport
A heliport is a small airport suitable only for use by helicopters. Heliports typically contain one or more helipads and may have limited facilities such as fuel, lighting, a windsock, or even hangars...
for private charters and to ferry Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited is an Indian state-owned oil and gas company headquartered in New Delhi, India. It is one of the largest Asia-based oil and gas exploration and production companies, and produces around 77% of India's total crude oil production and around 81% of...
personnel by carrier Pawan Hans
Pawan Hans
Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited is a helicopter service company based in India. The operations are based at Vile Parle . Other than providing helicopter services to ONGC to its off-shore locations, this public sector company is often engaged for providing services to various state governments in...
to offshore oil rigs at Bombay High
Bombay High
Bombay High is an offshore oilfield off the coast of Mumbai , India. The oil operations are run by India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation ....
.
Jal Hans
Jal Hans
Jal Hans is a commercial seaplane service based in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. It is a pilot project that was launched on December 30, 2010 by the then Indian Civil Aviation Minister, Praful Patel, at Juhu Aerodrome in Mumbai...
, India's first seaplane service was launched at the Juhu Aerodrome in December 2010.
Helicopter Operations
Juhu Aerodrome handles all helicopter operations, including private helicopter charters out of Mumbai. Due to congestion at the CSI Airport, in December 2010 all helicopter operations were moved to Juhu. The aerodrome can handle 6 helicopter operations at a time. The airport currently handles about 100 helicopter operations a day.Private Aircraft Operations and Upgrade
There is currently a plan to move all small private aircraft (such as BeechcraftBeechcraft
Beechcraft is an American manufacturer of general aviation and military aircraft, ranging from light single engine aircraft to business jets and light military transports. Previously a division of Raytheon, it has been a brand of Hawker Beechcraft since 2006....
B-200
Beechcraft Super King Air
The Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation . The King Air line comprises a number of model series that fall into two families: the Model 90 series, Model 100 series , Model 200 series and Model 300 series...
and Cessna
Cessna
The Cessna Aircraft Company is an airplane manufacturing corporation headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Their main products are general aviation aircraft. Although they are the most well known for their small, piston-powered aircraft, they also produce business jets. The company is a subsidiary...
C-90)operations from CSI Airport to Juhu Aerodrome to decongest CSI Airport. This was to take place by January 10, 2011. However, due to lack of infrastructure and security considerations, this has been delayed. As part of this move, the aerodrome is currently being upgraded to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) from the current Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Currently the air controllers at CSI Airport have to align aircraft to the Juhu flight path using their radar before they hand over the aircraft to Juhu. The airport is also being fitted with a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) to facilitate night landing facilities that have demanded by helicopter operators. There is also a plan to align runway 08-26 with runway 09-27 of CSI Airport to facilitate independent operations. A new terminal building is being built to handle passenger movement, it currently only has a VIP terminal for private charter movements. The runway is also being extended besides permissions pending.
Security
The airport is currently being guarded by the Maharashtra Home Guard who will soon hand over charge to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that handles security for all major airports in India. A contingent 174 personnel has been sanctioned for Juhu aerodrome with CISF infrastructure being accommodated in a renovated hangar. The CISF personnel will be armed with AK-47s and INSAS rifles. It will also have a vehicle-borne Quick Reaction Team (QRT). A perimeter wall is being built around the premises as well.Extension and Conservation
With air traffic congestion reaching an unacceptable threshold in Mumbai, Airports Authority of India put on fast track its age-old plan of reviving the Juhu airport to ease some pressure off Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) in 2010. The Airports Authority of India appointed consulting major KPMG to draw up a development plan for Juhu airport. It was envisioned that the Juhu airstrip could take up to 18% load off CSI Airport with turboprop ATR and then Boeing 737Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
aircraft. The plan was to extend the runway to 2000 meters in phases would ultimately see the airstrip jutting into the sea with reclaimed parts of the famous Juhu beach and seafront, however the permission for the same was denied by the Ministry of Environment and Forests
Ministry of Environment and Forests
The Ministry of Environment and Forests is an Indian government ministry. The Minister of Environment and Forests holds cabinet rank as a member of the Council of Ministers...
, Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
. Instead, the ministry asked for the conservation of land around the airstrip stating no development should take place there and that it should be conserved as a green open space to compensate the pollution caused by the airstrip.
Accidents and incidents
- On 15 July 1953, a BOACBritish Overseas Airways CorporationThe British Overseas Airways Corporation was the British state airline from 1939 until 1946 and the long-haul British state airline from 1946 to 1974. The company started life with a merger between Imperial Airways Ltd. and British Airways Ltd...
DH.106 CometDe Havilland CometThe de Havilland DH 106 Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner to reach production. Developed and manufactured by de Havilland at the Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom headquarters, it first flew in 1949 and was a landmark in aeronautical design...
landed at Juhu Aerodrome instead of Mumbai's much larger Santa Cruz International Airport. The aircraft was flown out some nine days later. - On 28 May 1968, the pilot of a Garuda IndonesiaGaruda IndonesiaPT Garuda Indonesia Tbk , publicly known as Garuda Indonesia, is the flag carrier of Indonesia. It is named after the mystical giant bird Garuda of Hinduism and Buddhist mythology. It is headquartered at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, near Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia...
Convair 990Convair 990The Convair 990 Coronado was a narrow-body jet airliner produced by the Convair division of General Dynamics, a "stretched" version of their earlier Convair 880 produced in response to a request from American Airlines. The 990 was lengthened by 10 feet, which increased the number of passengers from...
also mistook Juhu Aerodrome for Santacruz Airport and tried to land his aircraft. It overshot the runway falling just short of the traffic road ahead and several residential buildings when its nose wheel got stuck in a ditch at the end of the runway. All passengers survived. - On 24 December 1972, a Japan AirlinesJapan Airlinesis an airline headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. It is the flag carrier of Japan and its main hubs are Tokyo's Narita International Airport and Tokyo International Airport , as well as Nagoya's Chūbu Centrair International Airport and Osaka's Kansai International Airport...
Flight 472Japan Airlines Flight 472 (1972)Japan Airlines Flight 472 was a flight from London to Tokyo via Frankfurt, Rome, Beirut, Tehran, Bombay, Bangkok and Hong Kong. On September 24, 1972, the flight landed at Juhu Aerodrome near Bombay, India instead of the city's much larger Santacruz Airport and overran the runway, resulting in the...
, operated Douglas DC-8-53Douglas DC-8The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
landed at Juhu Aerodrome instead of Santacruz Airport. The aircraft overran the end of the runway and was damaged beyond economic repair. - On 13 October 2006, a private five seater Beechcraft B 55 aircraft owned by Container Movement Transport Pvt. Ltd. crash landed at the Juhu aerodrome after experiencing engine trouble and losing radio communications. The aircraft, on its way to VadodaraVadodaraVadodara formerly known as Baroda is the third most populated city in the Indian State of Gujarat . It is one of the four cities with the population of over 1 million...
returned to Mumbai from where it took off was badly damaged as it caught fire on landing. All passengers escaped safely and there were no casualties.
Culture and media
The Aerodrome was used for the opening scene of Slumdog MillionaireSlumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British epic romantic drama adventure film directed by Danny Boyle, written by Simon Beaufoy, and co-directed in India by Loveleen Tandan. It is an adaptation of the novel Q & A by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup...
and can be seen in subsequent scenes as well. Part of the climax of the 2008 film A Wednesday was shot here. The aerodrome was referred to as Juhu Aviation Base in this particular film.