Mumbai Airport's Terminal 1 to Close from October 25 for Redevelopment Until 2029-30
Why It MattersThe closure forces a major reallocation of airline capacity across Mumbai's two Adani-owned airports, accelerating Navi Mumbai's role as an international gateway.
Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) announced on Wednesday that Terminal 1 at Mumbai International Airport will be shut for flight operations from October 25 until 2029-30 for demolition and reconstruction. The redevelopment was directed by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA), which ordered the demolition of the 84-year-old terminal; MIAL had originally planned to begin work in mid-2025 but deferred it due to the lack of an alternative operating facility, a gap now filled by the operational Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
MIAL said stakeholders, including airlines, had been informed that redevelopment of T1 would formally commence in January 2027, and that airlines' historic slot rights would be honoured once the new terminal opens. Mumbai airport's two terminals currently handle an average of 950 flights per day, with 53 international and seven domestic airlines operating from the airport; T1 handled nearly 15 million passengers in financial year 2025-26, while T2 handled 40 million.
Some domestic flights currently using T1 are expected to shift to T2, while certain international flights from T2 may move to Navi Mumbai airport. Akasa Air has already begun shifting its operations, with discussions ongoing with other carriers. Navi Mumbai airport, which targets 90 million passengers and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo capacity by 2040, said it currently has capacity to handle up to 20 million passengers; both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports are owned by the Adani Group.
To encourage international traffic at NMIA, AERA on September 8 issued an order waiving landing charges for new international routes operating from the airport, and also announced concessions for the second and third years.
