1 week ago
Mumbai Airport to Shift Flights as Terminal 1 Redevelopment Begins
Mumbai airport is planning to move some flights to different terminals.
Starting October 1, 2026, at least one-third of international flights from Terminal 2 will move to Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Starting October 25, at least one-third of flights from Terminal 1 will move to Terminal 2.
On January 15, 2027, part of Terminal 1-B will be demolished and rebuilt.
The airport says Terminal 1 is very old and needs major improvements.
Navi Mumbai airport will provide space for some flights while this work happens.
Airlines may need to change their operations and passengers may have to travel farther.
Airport officials say the changes are being introduced in stages to reduce disruption.
From October 1, 2026, at least one-third of international flights at Mumbai Terminal 2 will move to Navi Mumbai International Airport.
From October 25, 2026, at least one-third of Terminal 1 traffic will shift to Terminal 2.
Demolition of the North Section of Terminal 1-B is scheduled to begin on January 15, 2027.
MIAL says Terminal 1 is nearly eight decades old and requires urgent redevelopment.
Airlines may face passenger-connectivity, operational and cost challenges after moving flights to Navi Mumbai.
- Who
- Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), airlines operating from Mumbai airport, and Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL) are involved.
- What
- A phased traffic reshuffle will move some international flights to Navi Mumbai, shift some Terminal 1 flights to Terminal 2, and enable Terminal 1-B redevelopment.
- Where
- The changes involve Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Navi Mumbai International Airport.
- When
- Traffic changes begin October 1, 2026; the Terminal 1-to-Terminal 2 shift begins October 25, 2026; demolition is scheduled for January 15, 2027.
- Why
- MIAL says Terminal 1 is nearly eight decades old and needs redevelopment, while Navi Mumbai provides additional capacity for the transition.
Redevelopment and Capacity Expansion
Airline and Passenger Concerns
Need for the reshuffle
Redevelopment and Capacity Expansion
MIAL says Terminal 1 is nearly eight decades old, urgently needs redevelopment, and must be modernised to support future capacity expansion.
Airline and Passenger Concerns
Airlines must reorganise established passenger bases, operational infrastructure and connectivity arrangements around Mumbai's existing airport.
Moving flights to Navi Mumbai
Redevelopment and Capacity Expansion
Navi Mumbai International Airport provides additional capacity, allowing Mumbai airport to undertake redevelopment without taking the existing airport out of operation; MIAL is offering commercial and tariff-related initiatives.
Airline and Passenger Concerns
The shift could reduce passenger convenience and increase airline operational costs, while passengers may face longer travel times and greater distances to Navi Mumbai.
Implementation approach
Redevelopment and Capacity Expansion
MIAL says the three-stage process is intended to minimise passenger inconvenience and disruption to airline operations, with coordination among authorities, airlines and airport operators.
Airline and Passenger Concerns
The transition requires airlines to begin planning early and address significant commercial, operational and connectivity challenges before the October 1 start date.
Key facts
- First traffic shift
- At least one-third of international air traffic movements from Mumbai Terminal 2 will move to Navi Mumbai from October 1, 2026.
- Second traffic shift
- At least one-third of Terminal 1 air traffic movements will move to Terminal 2 from October 25, 2026.
- Demolition date
- Demolition and redevelopment of the North Section of Terminal 1-B is scheduled to begin January 15, 2027.
- Terminal 1 age
- MIAL describes Terminal 1 as nearly eight decades old.
- Affected capacity
- The North Section of Terminal 1-B currently handles approximately 5 million passengers per year.
- Navi Mumbai operations
- Navi Mumbai began domestic operations on December 25, 2025, and international operations on July 15, 2026.
- Existing capacity change
- Akasa Air moved its domestic operations from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 on August 1, 2026.
Sources
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