Juhu Aerodrome: India's First Airport, JRD Tata First Plane Aviation Historic Feat
Passengers travelling to and from Mumbai may be familiar with the busy Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), but the city is also home to another historic airfield known as Juhu Aerodrome.
Commercial flights in India were initiated by JRD Tata, who also established the country's first civil aviation airport, Juhu Aerodrome, in 1928, later in 1932, he made history by landing here with the first scheduled commercial mail service, arriving from Karachi to Mumbai.
Juhu Aerodrome played a vital role during World War II, offering substantial support to British military air operations in Asia. Its significance as a historical site marks a crucial chapter in the development of civil aviation in India.
According to News 18 reports, the airport is still operational today, with two runways in use. It accommodates the landings of aircraft carrying leaders, ministers, and other VIPs. Additionally, helicopters also take off from there.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) made several attempts to re-establish this airport as a commercial hub but these plans were unsuccessful.
Commercial flights at Juhu Aerodrome didn't last long. Two more runways were added in 1937 and 1938, but there were still infrastructure problems and water would accumulate during the monsoon season, making it impossible for flights to land. (Images: Pixabay)
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