Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is set to begin a phased redevelopment of the northern section of Terminal 1B from January 2027, with the upgrade aimed at addressing safety concerns linked to the nearly six-decade-old facility.
Adani Airport Holdings Limited, which operates Mumbai International Airport Limited, will initially focus on demolishing roughly one-third of Terminal 1’s existing capacity. The phased strategy is intended to limit disruption to airport operations while allowing the ageing infrastructure to be modernised.
The redevelopment is expected to temporarily affect around five million passengers a year, equivalent to nearly 9 per cent of the airport’s annual traffic of approximately 55 million passengers.
Terminal 1 has been regarded as a safety concern for several years, with temporary measures implemented while authorities worked towards a longer-term solution. A fire incident at the terminal in April also brought renewed attention to the challenges associated with the ageing infrastructure.
As part of the transition plan, airlines have been given the option of temporarily moving some operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is also operated by the Adani airport group. However, the proposed shift is not intended to permanently transfer passenger traffic away from Mumbai’s existing airport.
Once the redevelopment is completed, Terminal 1’s handling capacity is expected to rise by around 33 per cent. Its annual capacity would increase from approximately 15 million passengers currently to 20 million passengers.
Planning for the terminal’s future has involved consultations with airlines since 2020. The redevelopment proposal was subsequently presented before the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India and incorporated into the approved tariff framework.
The phased construction strategy is designed to address the terminal’s safety requirements without causing major interruptions to airport operations. It will also allow airlines and passengers to adjust to temporary capacity changes while redevelopment progresses.
The project represents a significant upgrade for Mumbai’s aviation infrastructure, as the airport continues to handle high passenger volumes. By combining phased construction with alternative operational arrangements, authorities aim to maintain continuity while replacing ageing facilities with a more modern terminal capable of serving growing passenger demand.
Source: Swarajya
