Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Aaditya Thackeray Opposes Forced Flight Shift During Mumbai T1 Rebuild
Mumbai airport has two terminals, and Terminal 1 is used for domestic flights.
The company that runs Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports plans to rebuild T1.
It has proposed moving some flights to the new Navi Mumbai airport while the work is done.
Aaditya Thackeray says passengers and airlines should not be forced to move there.
He also criticized airport crowd management and charges.
The civil aviation ministry has suggested delaying the flight shift while officials discuss a plan.
The company says T1 work is expected to start in January 2027.
When it is finished, the terminal is expected to handle more passengers each year.
Aaditya Thackeray urged the Centre to intervene over plans affecting Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1.
He called for T1 to be repaired, refurbished or rebuilt without forcing airlines and passengers to move to Navi Mumbai.
Adani Airport Holdings has asked airlines to shift 33% of international flights from Mumbai’s T2 to NMIA or discontinue them by October 25.
The civil aviation ministry suggested delaying the proposed partial shift and said discussions would be held on a transition plan.
AAHL said T1 redevelopment is expected to begin in January 2027, raising its annual capacity from 15 million to 20 million passengers.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd, airlines and the Union civil aviation ministry.
- What
- Thackeray called for Mumbai airport’s T1 to be rebuilt without requiring airlines and passengers to shift to Navi Mumbai; the ministry suggested delaying a proposed flight relocation.
- When
- Thackeray made the demand on Wednesday, October 7; AAHL proposed a flight shift by October 25, and T1 redevelopment is expected to begin in January 2027.
- Where
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai International Airport.
- Why
- AAHL plans to redevelop T1 and proposed moving some flights to NMIA; Thackeray said the work should not force airlines and passengers to relocate.
Thackeray’s objections
Airport operator’s plan
Where flights should operate during redevelopment
Thackeray’s objections
Thackeray says T1 should be repaired, refurbished or rebuilt without forcing airlines and passengers to move to NMIA.
Airport operator’s plan
AAHL has proposed shifting some flight operations to T2 and NMIA during T1 redevelopment, and asked airlines to move 33% of international flights from T2 to NMIA or discontinue them by October 25.
Impact of the transition
Thackeray’s objections
Thackeray alleges the proposed shift could shut T1 for four years and potentially move operations permanently to Navi Mumbai; he also criticizes airport crowd management and charges.
Airport operator’s plan
AAHL said 91% of Mumbai airport passenger traffic would remain unaffected and that redeveloped T1 would have 33% more capacity.
- T1 current use
- Domestic operations at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
- T1 redevelopment start
- Expected in January 2027.
- Current T1 capacity
- 15 million passengers per annum.
- Projected T1 capacity
- 20 million passengers per annum after redevelopment, a 33% increase.
- Proposed flight shift
- AAHL asked airlines to shift 33% of international flights from Mumbai T2 to NMIA or discontinue them by October 25.
- Ministry response
- The civil aviation ministry suggested delaying the proposed partial shift and said discussions would be held on a transition plan.
- AAHL traffic estimate
- AAHL said 91% of Mumbai airport passenger traffic would remain unaffected by the demolition of T1’s north section and relocation of partial operations.