Video narration
Which was India's first airport? If you picture a modern airport, with terminals and passenger planes taking off and landing, the answer may seem simple. But the story begins at Juhu Aerodrome in Mumbai: an open airfield, rather than a modern terminal, that began operating in 1928. Then came 15 October 1932. J. R. D. Tata flew a mail plane from Karachi to Mumbai, a landmark journey that helped pave the way for Tata Airlines, later known as Air India. That makes Juhu a major part of India's aviation story. But here's the catch: "first" depends on what you count. An early airfield, an airport with regular services, and a modern commercial airport are not necessarily the same thing. So, which one was India's first? There isn't one undisputed answer. Juhu was one of India's earliest airfields-but calling it the first airport without qualification goes too far.