Mumbai Airport to Shift 12 International Airlines to Navi Mumbai From March 2027 for Terminal 1 Revamp
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is preparing to shift the operations of 12 international airlines to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) from the end of March 2027. The move is part of a plan to redevelop the airport’s ageing Terminal 1. Around five million passengers are expected to shift to Navi Mumbai Airport every year during the redevelopment work. The change will help Mumbai Airport make space for construction while continuing its flight operations.
The airport has completed its slot allocation process for the Summer 2027 schedule after discussions with international airlines. Out of 50 international airlines operating from Mumbai Airport, 38 have received their flight slots for the upcoming summer schedule as per reports. The remaining 12 airlines have not received slots at CSMIA and may operate their affected flights from Navi Mumbai Airport. Together, these airlines operate around 16 daily departures to 14 international destinations.
Around 91% of Mumbai Airport Traffic to Remain Unaffected
The airport has said that the shift of around five million passengers will leave nearly 91% of its existing passenger traffic capacity unaffected. Domestic airlines, including IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air, have also reportedly announced plans to move some of their flights serving 14 international destinations to Navi Mumbai Airport. These destinations include Bahrain, Dammam, Dhaka, Doha, Fujairah, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait City, Madinah, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Sharjah.
The temporary shift will also help airlines continue their operations while construction work takes place at the existing airport. CSMIA has assured airlines that their historical flight slots will be protected during this period. These slots will be restored after the expansion of Terminal 1 is completed, allowing airlines to continue their long-term flight operations from Mumbai Airport.
Terminal 1 Expansion to Increase Passenger Capacity
The redevelopment of Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 is expected to increase its annual passenger-handling capacity from 15 million to 20 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2027, with the upgraded terminal expected to open by March 2029. The terminal, which first opened in 1964, will be demolished and rebuilt in phases after structural audits in 2017 and 2024 raised concerns about its condition. The new terminal will have four additional domestic bus boarding gates, improved security facilities and larger passenger areas.
