Mumbai's air travel landscape is set for a significant transformation beginning March 2027, as 12 international airlines are slated to move their affected flights from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) Terminal 1 to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This strategic relocation is a critical step to facilitate the extensive redevelopment of CSMIA's Terminal 1, which has been flagged for structural concerns.
Major Redevelopment for CSMIA Terminal 1
The primary driver behind this large-scale operational shift is the comprehensive redevelopment and expansion of CSMIA's Terminal 1. Commissioned in 1964, the terminal currently handles 15 million passengers annually. Structural audits conducted by Structwel in 2017 and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in 2024 highlighted the need for significant infrastructure upgrades.
The redevelopment project aims to increase Terminal 1's annual passenger-handling capacity to 20 million. Construction is scheduled to commence in January 2027, with phased demolition work beginning in April 2027. The expanded facility, featuring a four-level extension, four additional domestic bus boarding gates, and enhanced passenger-processing and security infrastructure, is targeted to become operational by March 2029.
Impact on Airlines and Passengers
Approximately five million passengers annually are expected to be redirected to Navi Mumbai International Airport during this temporary transition. This move affects 12 international airlines, which collectively operate around 16 daily departures to 14 destinations. CSMIA has confirmed that it has not allotted slots to these specific carriers for the summer 2027 schedule, prompting their potential shift to NMIA.
Despite the significant relocation, CSMIA assures that nearly 91% of its existing traffic capacity will remain unaffected. The airport has also pledged to protect historical slot allocations for airlines, ensuring continuity in their long-term operational arrangements once Terminal 1's redevelopment is complete. Domestic carriers, including IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air, have also announced plans to shift some of their flights to NMIA as part of this broader transition.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport, developed by Adani Airports Holdings Ltd, is prepared to absorb these redirected flights, aligning with the broader strategy to enhance Mumbai's overall air travel infrastructure and capacity.