New Delhi: The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the primary airport of the financial capital of India. In today’s age, traveling by planes have become normal for the common people, unlike earlier days when the elites of the upper strata of society were mainly the ones who availed of flights. Due to evolution of economy, more and more people are now traveling by flights as they take much, much less time compared to trains to cover a distance.
While Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is the bustling airport of Mumbai, the city has another forgotten airport which played a key role in the aviation history of India. We are talking about Juhu Aerodrome and in this article, we will take a look at its significance.
Which is the first civil aviation airport in India?
In 1928, Juhu Aerodrome was established as the first civil aviation airport in India. Back then, it was an unpaved airfield and it edged past the Kalyan Airstrip built in the early 1920s to become the primary airport in Mumbai. The Bombay Flying Club used the Juhu Aerodrome for teaching, joy-rides, and air travel. The airport was unsuitable during the monsoon and by 1932, it was revamped, although the ground was still not fit for use during that year’s monsoon.
Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, commonly known as JRD Tata, is known as the father of civil aviation in India. On October 15, 1932, JRD Tata, a licensed pilot, made his maiden voyage to Juhu Airport from Drigh Road Airstrip in Karachi, via Ahmedabad, carrying mail in a Puss Moth aircraft. It was the first scheduled commercial mail service in India. In the history of aviation in India, it was a watershed moment.
JRD Tata founded Air India which boosted operations out of the Juhu Aerodrome. In 1936, the facility expanded, and it got two new runways. In 1937 and 1938, the aerodrome was upgraded further including concrete paving for its runways, night-time flying services and other modern amenities. Juhu Aerodrome was the primary airport of Mumbai till World War II, when it fate took a downward turn. In 1948, Mumbai authorities decided the city needed another airport, and the commercial operations were moved to the much larger RAF Santa Cruz, which is today known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
The traffic of Juhu Aerodrome declined, and it became an for general aviation, helicopter operations and the landing or departure points of state or national leaders, much like Delhi’s Safdarjung Airport. The AAI (Airports Authority of India) made several attempts to reintroduce commercial operations at Juhu Aerodrome but have been unsuccessful. Instead, Juhu is now a reserve airport for military operations. It handles all helicopter operations out of Mumbai and also hosts the Bombay Flying Club and several executive and light aircraft and gliders.
Juhu Aerodrome, established in 1928, served as India’s first civil aviation airport. Initially an unpaved airfield, it played a crucial role, hosting JRD Tata’s pioneering 1932 mail service. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
