Mumbai International Airport is set to undergo a phased redevelopment of its Terminal 1 starting in January 2027, prompting plans that could temporarily disrupt international flight operations and affect passenger travel to the city. The airport, managed by Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) under Adani Airport Holdings, has proposed a series of changes aimed at facilitating construction on the 60-year-old terminal.
As part of the redevelopment, MIAL has advised airlines to temporarily relocate some international flights from Terminal 1 to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), a facility located approximately 50 kilometers away, while other flights would be moved to Terminal 2 within the existing Mumbai airport complex. To accommodate these shifts, MIAL has proposed cutting 265 weekly international departure slots at Terminal 2 starting October 25, out of a total of 770 weekly slots, thereby affecting 46 airlines.
The reduction in available slots has been met with resistance from the affected carriers, who have expressed support for the terminal’s modernization but oppose the proposed slot cuts, citing concerns over operational disruptions. Airlines expected to be most impacted include IndiGo, which would lose 74 weekly slots, Air India with 33 slots, Akasa Air 11 slots, Air India Express seven slots, Emirates and Etihad Airways 10 slots each, and British Airways seven slots.
Passengers flying on these airlines, particularly those based in the United Arab Emirates and using carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, Air India, and IndiGo, may face longer journeys and potentially increased costs due to the relocation of flights to NMIA. The shift could also result in changes to flight schedules, as travelers adjust to operations spread across two airports in the greater Mumbai region.
According to Adani Airports, up to 5 million passengers annually, representing roughly 9 percent of the airport’s traffic, could experience temporary disruption during the redevelopment period. To alleviate added expenses, the operator has proposed issuing cash vouchers to international travelers to offset the higher User Development Fee applicable at Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Once completed, the Terminal 1 redevelopment is expected to boost its capacity by one-third, increasing from the current 15 million passengers per year to 20 million. This expansion aims to enhance Mumbai’s international connectivity and accommodate growing passenger volumes in the long term. However, the immediate transition phase poses logistical challenges for airlines and travelers navigating the two-airport system during the terminal's renovation.