Is Mumbai's new airport only a visual treat?

WAY TO GO: Even after getting a much-needed facelift, the airport is still far from perfect.

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Mumbai: Everyone is singing praises of Mumbai's new airport's look.

With an average 25.2 million passengers and 520, 000 tonnes of cargo in 2007 alone, it is by far the busiest airport in the country.

And that is why it is getting a much needed facelift. Swanky interiors, additional check-in counters, better house-keeping and food kiosks are just a few things that catch the eye.

More over, it is not only passengers but even baggage is given special care to ensure everything going into the aircraft is not only secure but they reach efficiently.

But the airport is still far from perfect. Passengers still have to deal with long queues, non-existant flight announcements and myriad of problems.

"There is no information ever," says a passenger.

"No lost and found department," adds another passenger.

And the heavy air traffic is something airlines worry about.

"For aircrafts, this is highly loss-making especially because of the hover time of aircrafts," says Air Deccan, Capt Gopinath.

The real hurdle incase of actual development is the lack of space for a second runway, which is a dire necessity taking into consideration the increasing passenger traffic.

So as an option a second airport is now being planned in the 2,750-acre land

And keeping aside all the teething problems, the administration also seems confident it won't be too long away.

"We are working ardently towards clearing all hurdles and work could commence soon," says Civil Aviation Minister, Praful Patel.

But assuming everything goes well, the new airport will still take four years to complete.

And until then, it seems passengers will have to live with what they have---the great looking overworked aerodrome.