07 February,2026 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram Kavattur
Passengers being picked up from the parking area at Terminal 2
Every year, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport's Terminal 2 handles nearly 55 million passengers. Almost as many people also arrive just to pick up friends and family, making airport access a daily test of patience, timing and parking costs. Last year's September, mid-day reported about the lack of free pick-up time options at the Mumbai airport.
A board displaying fares outside the parking zone at Terminal 2. Pics/Shadab Khan
After the report, Mumbai airport operators introduced a 0 to 8-minute free parking window at the T2 parking facility late last year. While the move was meant to offer relief, a mid-day test drive found that the window is often too short to be practically useful, especially during peak hours. Many visitors told mid-day they were unaware such a free window even existed, despite signage now being displayed across the airport.
The free window applies only within the parking facility, forcing vehicles to enter the P5 parking level, locate passengers, load luggage and exit within eight minutes to avoid charges.
A display board at the parking exit shows entry and exit timings along with the parking charge
Due to space constraints and the lack of an elevated pick-up road directly from arrival gates, this remains the only free option for visitors. However, mid-day's on-ground experience suggests the layout leaves very little margin for error.
During multiple visits, mid-day observed that the system works only if the vehicle is already waiting at the parking level when passengers arrive, which is rarely the case. In one instance, mid-day followed a group of arriving passengers from the terminal exit to the P5 parking area.
Passengers are being picked up from the parking area at Terminal 2
The passengers spent nearly three minutes locating their driver and another three minutes loading luggage and boarding the vehicle. This left almost no buffer time, especially if the vehicle had entered the parking zone before the passengers reached the level.
Exiting also proved challenging. With four exit lanes handling multiple vehicles simultaneously, several cars leaving together risk overshooting the eight-minute limit by seconds, resulting in charges. During high air traffic hours, when several flights land close together, the situation worsens as dozens of vehicles attempt to exit at the same time.
"During non-peak hours, it might work, but during busy hours it is impossible," said Sandeep Kumar, who visited T2 around noon. "At least 15 minutes are needed. If everyone tries to exit within eight minutes, it will create chaos, with only a few vehicles making it out in time." DK Pal, a professional driver who frequently picks up both passengers and family members from the airport, offered a more balanced view.
"The eight-minute window works only when traffic is low, and there is coordination between driver and passenger," he said. "During peak hours, with multiple flights landing, it becomes difficult because many vehicles are leaving together." Pal added that familiarity with the airport layout also plays a role. "For those who know the parking flow well, it is manageable. For first-time visitors, it is stressful."
Some visitors said the free window, though limited, is still a step in the right direction. "It is a good start, but navigating through the parking makes it hard to exit in eight minutes," said Dolly Satpathy, who was at the airport with her daughter, Nysa, to receive relatives. "Extending it to 15 minutes would help. That said, even this free option is better than nothing."
Nysa Satpathy added that space constraints at the airport make the lack of express pick-up lanes understandable. "Given the limitations, the eight-minute window still helps visitors avoid parking charges, even if it is tight."
mid-day sent queries to Mumbai International Airport Limited seeking clarity on the rationale behind the eight-minute limit and whether an extension is being considered. No response was received from the operators till press time.
