Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has once again proven its world-class status, securing the ninth position among the world's top 10 international airports in the prestigious Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. This remarkable achievement marks the third consecutive year that CSMIA has been the sole Indian airport to feature on this esteemed list.

Global Recognition

CSMIA garnered an impressive score of 84.23 points in the survey, which saw nearly 180,000 readers casting over 650,000 votes. The evaluation criteria encompassed various aspects of the airport experience, including architectural design, dining options, and passenger services.

World's Best Airports

The global rankings saw fierce competition, with Istanbul Airport claiming the top spot with a score of 98.57 points. Following closely were Singapore's renowned Changi Airport and Hamad International Airport in Doha, completing the top three.

CSMIA's Impressive Performance

CSMIA's consistent presence in the top 10 list underscores its commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. The airport demonstrated its operational prowess by handling a staggering 55.12 million passengers. Moreover, CSMIA holds the distinction of being the world's busiest single-runway airport, a testament to its efficient management and state-of-the-art facilities.

Cutting-Edge Upgrades

The airport's high ranking can be attributed to its significant technological advancements and passenger-centric improvements. CSMIA has implemented a range of modern amenities, including:

• Biometric travel systems
• Electronic gates
• Self-service kiosks

These upgrades have substantially enhanced the passenger experience, streamlining processes and reducing wait times.

Collaborative Management

CSMIA's success is the result of a strategic partnership between public and private entities. The airport is operated by Mumbai International Airport Limited, a joint venture between Adani Enterprises and the Airports Authority of India. This collaboration has proven instrumental in driving innovations and maintaining world-class standards.

As CSMIA continues to set benchmarks in airport operations and passenger satisfaction, its latest global recognition reaffirms Mumbai's position as a key player in international air travel. The airport's consistent performance in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards not only brings pride to India but also raises the bar for airport excellence worldwide.

Adani Enterprises has announced an ambitious Rs 96,000 crore investment plan for its airport operations over the next five years. The conglomerate aims to focus on significant infrastructure upgrades and real estate development across its airport portfolio, with a particular emphasis on domestic aviation projects.

Navi Mumbai International Airport: A Key Focus

The majority of the capital expenditure is earmarked for the Navi Mumbai and Mumbai airport projects. Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is slated to become operational by October, with an initial capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually. The group has allocated Rs 19,000 crore for this first phase of development.

Looking ahead, Adani Group is evaluating expansion options for NMIA's second terminal:

• Investment range: Rs 30,000 crore to Rs 45,000 crore
• Long-term passenger capacity goal: 90 million annually
• Total potential investment: Approaching Rs 1 lakh crore

Mumbai Airport Expansion

For the existing Mumbai airport, plans include:

• Construction of a new Terminal 1 by 2032
• Estimated investment: Rs 5,000 crore

Other Airport Developments

The investment strategy extends beyond Mumbai, with several other airports in the Adani portfolio set for upgrades:

• Terminal upgrades planned for Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Thiruvananthapuram airports
• Ongoing expansion in Lucknow
• New terminal expected in Guwahati by late this year

Funding and Partnerships

To finance this extensive investment plan, Adani Group intends to utilize:

1. Internal accruals
2. Debt refinancing

The conglomerate is also collaborating with major airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, to support its airport business growth strategy.

This substantial investment underscores Adani Group's commitment to enhancing India's airport infrastructure and capitalizing on the growing domestic aviation market. By focusing on key projects like the Navi Mumbai International Airport and upgrading existing facilities, the group aims to significantly boost passenger handling capacity and improve airport services across the country.