Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is set for a significant overhaul, with Terminal 1 (T1) scheduled to cease flight operations from October 25, 2026. The terminal will remain closed until 2029-30 as part of a comprehensive demolition and reconstruction initiative.
Operated by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), the redevelopment project aims to replace the existing 84-year-old facility with a modern, higher-capacity terminal. This move follows a directive from the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
Why is Terminal 1 Closing?
The decision to redevelop T1 has been under consideration for several years. While initial plans targeted mid-2025, the project was postponed due to a lack of alternative facilities for airlines. The recent availability of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has now provided the necessary infrastructure to proceed.
MIAL has informed stakeholders that the physical redevelopment work will officially commence in January 2027, following the cessation of flight operations in October 2026.
Impact on Flight Operations and Passengers
Airlines currently operating from T1 face several options: they can relocate services to CSMIA's Terminal 2, transfer flights to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport, or temporarily suspend some services. Akasa Air has already begun shifting its operations, with discussions ongoing with other carriers.
The closure is substantial, given that T1 handled nearly 15 million passengers during the fiscal year 2025-26, contributing to Mumbai airport's daily average of approximately 950 flights. T2 currently manages around 40 million passengers annually.
While MIAL has committed to honoring airlines' existing slot rights once the rebuilt terminal becomes operational, the interim period is expected to create temporary pressure on overall airport capacity as operations are redistributed between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
A New Era for Mumbai's Aviation
The redevelopment of T1 is a crucial component of Mumbai's broader transition towards a dual-airport system, with NMIA poised to play an increasingly vital role in managing the region's expanding air traffic. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has also introduced incentives to encourage the establishment of new international routes from Navi Mumbai Airport, signaling a strategic shift in regional aviation infrastructure.