“Santa Cruz” Bombay’s Earliest Airport, 1949 Postcard
A 1949 postcard of Santa Cruz Bombay’s earliest airport. Many may not be aware that Bombay’s (Mumbai) earliest civilian airport was the Santa Cruz airport. Juhu Aerodrome opened in 1928 was India’s first civil aviation airport. In 1948, the airport was moved to a larger existing RAF Santa Cruz Airport 2 km from Juhu Aerodrome.
The Santa Cruz airport was established in the British India era of 1942 as a major RAF military airfield. After WWII, the government converted this military airfield of 2900 acres to a civilian airport. After major expansion in the 1980s, a new international terminal was built, which was named Sahar International Airport. However, Santa Cruz Airport handled the domestic flights terminal. Sahar Airport was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in the 1990s, solely for international flights.
Also read Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
Did you know– since Bombay was once owned by the Portuguese the name Santa Cruz meant the Holy Cross.
From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma Commemorative First Day Cover 1971., Steam Tram of Calcutta – Rare Postcard 1900., British India Polo Player Captain Malone – Old Photo 1890., Tellicherry On The Malabar Coast – Old Print 1922.
