Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is set for a major operational change, with Terminal 1 (T1) scheduled to stop handling flights from October 25 as part of a large-scale redevelopment. The terminal is expected to remain out of service until 2029-30.
Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), the airport operator, said airlines currently using T1 will have the option of moving their operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) or temporarily suspending services. The redevelopment follows a direction from the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The airport currently handles nearly 950 flights each day through its two terminals, serving 53 international and seven domestic airlines. During 2025-26, T1 handled approximately 15 million passengers, while Terminal 2 processed around 40 million.
The redevelopment involves the demolition and reconstruction of the 84-year-old terminal. According to reports, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) had directed that T1 be demolished, but the project was delayed because airlines did not have another airport within the region to accommodate their operations.
An MIAL spokesperson said the redevelopment had initially been scheduled to commence in mid-2025 but was deferred because an alternative airport was unavailable.
With Navi Mumbai International Airport now operational, airlines have another option within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. MIAL has informed airlines and other stakeholders about the planned changes, while redevelopment work is expected to commence in January 2027 after preparatory activities begin.
The airport operator has also assured airlines that the shutdown will not affect their existing slot rights. These rights are expected to be restored once the redeveloped terminal becomes operational.
The decision has nevertheless created uncertainty among some aviation stakeholders. An AAI directive has reportedly accelerated the demolition schedule.
“AAI today asked us to implement the demolition. Hence, we are forced to go ahead with the move at the earliest possible time, which will be next month,” The news agency quoted its source as saying.
To manage the transition, some domestic flights are expected to move to T2, while select international services could shift from T2 to Navi Mumbai. Akasa Air has already begun transferring some operations, with discussions continuing with other airlines.
Source: Money Control
