Mumbai Airport Terminal 1B will undergo phased redevelopment starting January 2027 due to safety concerns and aged infrastructure. About 9% of traffic may be redirected to Navi Mumbai Airport during construction, with a 33% capacity increase projected upon completion, enhancing future passenger flow and airline slots.
India
-Oneindia Staff
Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), operated by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), will begin redevelopment of the North Section of Terminal 1B (T1) at Mumbai Airport. The decision follows safety concerns about the 60-year-old building, and the terminal will be redeveloped in phases.
Mumbai Airport (IATA code: BOM) handles around 55 million passengers per annum (mppa). Only about 5 mppa, roughly 9%, will be temporarily taken out of operation. To keep operations running and limit inconvenience to passengers, AAHL has given airlines the option to temporarily shift their operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport (IATA: NMI), at their discretion. AAHL has said it will support airlines through the transition and provide all necessary assistance for a smooth migration of services.
Mumbai Airport Terminal 1B will undergo phased redevelopment starting January 2027 due to safety concerns and aged infrastructure. About 9% of traffic may be redirected to Navi Mumbai Airport during construction, with a 33% capacity increase projected upon completion, enhancing future passenger flow and airline slots.
“91% of Mumbai Airport’s passenger traffic will remain unaffected even as we undertake redevelopment of the age-old infrastructure that was in urgent need of repairs,” said Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Limited. He added that only the North Section of Terminal 1B, which accounts for around one-third of T1’s capacity, will be demolished in Phase 1 to minimise passenger inconvenience and operational disruption. “The transition to Navi Mumbai Airport is temporary and does not represent a permanent shift of Mumbai Airport traffic,” he said.
April fire made the risk more pronounced
According to the company, Terminal 1 has long been identified as a safety concern. Only temporary mitigation measures were possible over the years because there was no viable alternative for passengers and airlines. AAHL said the risks of continuing operations became even more pronounced after the fire incident at Terminal 1 in April this year. With Navi Mumbai International Airport now operational and able to serve as an alternative for airlines and travellers, the planned closure and phased demolition of Terminal 1 “can no longer be deferred,” the company said.
Capacity to rise by 33%
Redevelopment of T1 will begin in January 2027. Once complete, the terminal’s capacity will increase by 33%, from the current 15 mppa to up to 20 mppa. The company has also said T1 will restore all historical slots for airlines, along with additional slots.
Airlines consulted since 2020
Responding to concerns raised by some airlines, Bansal said extensive consultations on the future of Terminal 1 have been under way since 2020. The proposed redevelopment was also presented before the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) and subsequently incorporated into the approved tariff framework. “While we appreciate the concerns expressed by certain airlines, passenger safety must remain paramount, and any further delay in commencing this process could adversely impact the safety and convenience of millions of travellers,” he said.
Incentives at Navi Mumbai Airport
Navi Mumbai Airport is offering a 100% discount on landing fees for new international flights. It also plans to offer cash vouchers to international passengers to offset the difference in the User Development Fee (UDF) charged at Navi Mumbai and Mumbai airports. The company described Navi Mumbai as a modern, fully equipped airport with the infrastructure and capacity to handle the additional traffic shifted from Mumbai Airport. “Its availability makes it possible to undertake the redevelopment of T1 of Mumbai Airport in phases, instead of shutting down the entire terminal and causing greater disruption to passengers and airlines,” Bansal said.
AAHL maintains that Mumbai Airport and Navi Mumbai Airport are complementary airports, together addressing the severely constrained aviation infrastructure needs of India’s commercial capital region.
About Adani Airport Holdings Limited
Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, is one of India’s largest private airport operators. It manages eight airports across the country and serves over 23% of India’s total passenger traffic. Its platform spans aeronautical operations, passenger-facing non-aeronautical offerings and city-side development.
