Mumbai Airport News: CM Fadnavis Opposes Flight Shift, Proposes New T1 Plan
Mumbai Airport News
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stepped into the ongoing debate over Mumbai’s aviation network, urging the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation not to shift international flight operations from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
Amid pushback from foreign airlines reluctant to relocate their established operations, the Chief Minister has proposed a phased redevelopment plan for Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 (T1). The proposal is designed to upgrade the aging infrastructure without disrupting passenger services or forcing flight cancellations.
Earlier, airport operator Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) had proposed moving flights serving 14 international destinations—including key routes to West Asia, Dhaka, Jakarta, and Kathmandu—to Navi Mumbai starting with the Summer 2027 schedule in March. However, CM Fadnavis has written to Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu suggesting an alternative construction timeline:
- Build Terminal 1B First: Construct a brand-new Terminal 1B facility at Mumbai Airport while existing airport operations continue normally.
- Transfer Operations: Once Terminal 1B is complete and ready for passengers, shift all airline services and operations currently handled at Terminal 1A into the new building.
- Demolish and Rebuild T1A: Only after operations are safely moved will the old Terminal 1A structure be demolished to build its replacement.
Operational since 1964, Terminal 1 requires major modernization due to structural safety concerns, obsolete equipment, and growing passenger demand. Rather than shutting down the terminal all at once—which aviation industry bodies like IATA warned would create a severe capacity shortfall for years—the Chief Minister’s step-by-step approach ensures the airport stays open throughout construction.
- No Forced Relocation: CM Fadnavis emphasized that both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports should operate at their respective capacities rather than transferring flights out of CSMIA.
- Zero Flight Cancellations: Building replacement infrastructure before tearing down old sections prevents schedule cuts or mass flight rescheduling during construction.
- Higher Future Capacity: Once completed, the modernized Terminal 1 is projected to boost passenger handling capacity to 20 million travelers annually, featuring upgraded security screening and faster passenger processing.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
