How a New Taxiway M Boosts Flight Capacity at Mumbai's Busiest Single-Runway Airport

December 30, 2025 at 04:15 PM•3 min read

Mumbai International Airport (CSMIA) commissioned the new parallel Taxiway M on December 25, significantly boosting flight departure capacity and operational resilience at the busy

Key Points

1Mumbai International Airport (CSMIA) commissioned the new parallel Taxiway M on December 25, specifically to boost flight departure capacity during peak periods.
2The upgrade is critical for CSMIA, which is recognized as the world's busiest single-runway airport, handling over 950 aircraft movements daily.
3The new taxiway improves operational resilience by offering alternate routing and contributes to reduced carbon emissions through shorter taxi and ground holding times.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai, India, has commissioned a major airside infrastructure upgrade.

This new parallel Taxiway M was officially made operational on December 25. The airport operator, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), announced the commissioning on Tuesday. The primary goal is to significantly improve CSMIA flight departure capacity during peak travel periods.

CSMIA is widely recognized as the world's busiest single-runway airport. It manages an average of over 950 aircraft traffic movements daily. The facility has previously set a record of 1,036 flights in a single 24-hour period. This sustained high traffic volume highlighted the critical need for additional taxiway capacity.

Boosting Departure Capacity

The Mumbai airport new taxiway is designed to streamline airside operations. It enables more efficient departure sequencing for all aircraft, including those manufactured by companies like Boeing. The new layout allows planes to move onto the runway and take off more promptly. It also creates space for aircraft to queue while awaiting clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC).

This enhancement directly impacts airline operations. Carriers such as IndiGo, a major domestic operator, benefit from reduced ground congestion. For passengers, this means fewer delays and shorter waiting times before takeoff.

Operational Resilience and Environmental Gains

Taxiway M provides greater air traffic control flexibility. Controllers can better manage airside traffic flows, especially during high-demand hours. The new parallel taxiway also offers an alternate routing option. This is vital during planned maintenance or unforeseen disruptions, enhancing overall operational resilience.

MIAL noted the positive environmental impact of the new taxiway. Reduced taxi distances and shorter ground holding times are key benefits. These efficiencies contribute to lower fuel consumption. They also help achieve reduced carbon emissions aviation goals for the airport and its operating partners.

Future Growth and Industry Context

The new infrastructure was conceived to address a critical requirement. The airport previously relied heavily on a single parallel taxi track. With Taxiway M now fully operational, CSMIA is better positioned to manage current traffic. It also creates necessary headroom for future growth in the region. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stresses the importance of such infrastructure investments. They are essential for supporting global air travel growth and maintaining safety standards.

Timely approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ensured the project’s delivery. This upgrade ensures smoother, safer, and more reliable airport operations at a major global hub. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.