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Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 revamp is planned for January 2027, while proposed flight changes are on hold. Could some services shift to Navi Mumbai?
Passengers are advised to check official airport and airline announcements for updates as redevelopment plans and any related flight changes are finalised.
Mumbai International Airport plans to redevelop the northern section of Terminal 1B from January 2027. Proposed international flight cuts and shifts to Navi Mumbai have been put on hold for the upcoming winter schedule following objections from airlines.
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is preparing for the phased redevelopment of Terminal 1, with work on the northern section of Terminal 1B scheduled to begin in January 2027, as reported by The Times of India. The airport operator has cited safety concerns over the ageing structure, particularly following a fire at Terminal 1 in April 2026.
However, discussions between Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), airlines and government officials have deferred the proposed changes to flight operations. A Reuters report published on October 13 said the airport would retain existing airline slot allocations during the upcoming winter schedule instead of implementing the planned international flight cuts from October 25.
The redevelopment and the proposed flight changes are related, but not the same. While the project is scheduled to begin in January, the plan to reduce or shift international flights has been postponed. Passengers should therefore rely on their airline’s latest notifications rather than assume that Terminal 1 will shut completely on October 25.
Why Is Mumbai Airport Redeveloping Terminal 1?
Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), which operates CSMIA through MIAL, announced on October 3 that it would begin the phased redevelopment of the northern section of Terminal 1B in January 2027. The operator said safety concerns surrounding the approximately 60-year-old structure had prompted the decision. It also cited the fire at Terminal 1 in April 2026 as a factor that had heightened concerns about continuing operations in the affected infrastructure.
The project is intended to improve the terminal’s capacity. According to Adani Airports, redevelopment is expected to increase Terminal 1’s annual passenger-handling capacity from around 15 million to 20 million.
The operator estimates that about five million passengers out of Mumbai airport’s approximately 55 million annual passengers could be temporarily affected by the redevelopment. It said around 91% of passenger traffic would remain unaffected.
Will Mumbai Airport Terminal 1 Shut From October 25?
October 25 was the proposed date for changes to flight operations linked to the redevelopment, not a confirmed date for the complete closure of Terminal 1.
MIAL had proposed reducing international departure slots at Terminal 2 by around 33% to make room for domestic passenger traffic that would be displaced during the Terminal 1 redevelopment. The proposal involved cutting or relocating approximately 265 of the airport’s 770 weekly international departures.
Following objections from airlines and discussions with the government, the proposed changes were deferred. Reuters reported on October 13 that the airport would maintain existing airline slot allocations during the winter schedule.
The redevelopment of Terminal 1 remains planned for January 2027, but the flight changes intended to accommodate it will require further discussions. The latest reporting does not establish October 25 as the date when all Terminal 1 flights will stop operating.
Why Have Airlines Objected To The Proposed Changes?
Airlines have raised concerns about the operational and commercial impact of reducing international flights or moving services to Navi Mumbai International Airport.
According to reports, airlines sought greater clarity on the redevelopment plan and the reasons for the proposed reductions. The dispute centred on how the airport could accommodate displaced domestic passengers without disrupting existing international schedules.
Following discussions between MIAL and the Airline Operators Committee of Mumbai, the airport agreed to retain current slot allocations during the winter schedule. A joint working group was expected to develop an implementation plan, with further discussions planned.
The deferral means the proposed international flight cuts will not take effect on the original October 25 timeline. It does not, however, mean that all plans to reorganise airport operations have been permanently abandoned.
Could Flights Be Shifted To Navi Mumbai International Airport?
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is expected to play a role in accommodating some traffic affected by the redevelopment of Terminal 1 at CSMIA.
Adani Airports has indicated that airlines can consider shifting some international operations to NMIA. The operator has also offered a 100% discount on landing fees for new international flights at the Navi Mumbai airport, according to its October 3 announcement.
However, the proposed relocation has faced objections from airlines, and the immediate plan has been deferred. Passengers should not assume that their flights will automatically move to Navi Mumbai. Any change to an individual service will need to be confirmed by the airline concerned.
How Will The Redevelopment Affect Passengers?
For travellers, the most important question is whether their flight schedule or departure terminal will change.
Passengers travelling around October 25 should check their flight status directly with their airline and look for official messages about departure times, terminal details or airport changes. They should not rely solely on reports about the proposed redevelopment to determine where to report for a flight.
Travellers should also allow sufficient time to reach the airport and check for updates before leaving home, particularly if they have connecting flights or time-sensitive travel arrangements.
What Happens Next?
The northern section of Terminal 1B is scheduled for phased redevelopment from January 2027. The project is intended to address concerns about ageing infrastructure and increase the terminal’s passenger capacity.
The proposed flight cuts and relocation of international operations, meanwhile, have been deferred following objections from airlines. Further discussions between the airport operator, airlines and government officials are expected to determine how the transition will be implemented.
For now, October 25 should not be treated as a confirmed date for the complete closure of Terminal 1. Passengers are advised to check official airport and airline announcements for updates as redevelopment plans and any related flight changes are finalised.
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Ask News18The phased redevelopment of the northern section of Terminal 1B at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is scheduled to begin in January 2027.
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October 14, 2026, 13:42 IST
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