Mumbai Airport T1 to Close by October: 10 Million Passengers Affected

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport's Terminal 1 (T1) is scheduled to close by the end of October as part of a redevelopment initiative. The demolition of T1's northern section is slated to commence on January 15, 2027, leading to a redistribution of flights between Terminal 2 (T2) and the newly developed Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This transition is expected to significantly impact travelers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, as passengers will need to adjust their travel plans and budgets accordingly.

The impending closure of T1 has prompted Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) to begin redistributing air traffic. According to a letter from MIAL's chief airport officer, Vishnu Mohan Jha, to the civil aviation secretary, the airport operator plans to shift at least one-third of international air traffic to NMIA starting October 1. Following this, by October 25, a similar proportion of air traffic from T1 will be moved to T2. MIAL aims to minimize disruptions during this transition, providing airlines with assistance for approximately three and a half months prior to the demolition.

As a result of the redistribution, it is anticipated that around one-fifth of the 55 million passengers currently served by Mumbai airport will utilize NMIA this winter. Specifically, approximately 10 million passengers from T1 are expected to shift to NMIA by the end of October, while the remaining five million will be accommodated at T2. To manage this increased traffic, T2's capacity will be expanded from 40 million to 45 million passengers.

The closure of T1 raises concerns regarding the additional travel time and costs for passengers who will need to reach NMIA. Increased road traffic between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai is likely, particularly during peak hours, which could lead to longer travel times. MIAL has requested the civil aviation ministry to establish a joint transition group to coordinate efforts and minimize inconvenience for travelers during this significant change.

The shift in flights is expected to alleviate congestion at Mumbai airport, which currently operates with a single runway for all arrivals. With part of the traffic moving to NMIA, the airport anticipates improved punctuality and reduced waiting times for aircraft. The redevelopment of T1, which is nearly 80 years old, is being conducted in phases to ensure minimal disruption to airline operations and passenger convenience. As Navi Mumbai airport prepares to handle increased traffic, it is projected to reach its capacity of 20 million passengers per year by mid-2026, necessitating further expansions by 2029.