Adani Airports to Redevelop North Section of Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1B From January 2027

Mumbai Airport Terminal 1B redevelopment is set to begin in January 2027, with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd announcing a phased redevelopment of the North Section of Terminal 1B at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

According to the airport operator, safety concerns surrounding the approximately 60-year-old structure have prompted the redevelopment plan.

The project will temporarily deoperationalise capacity serving around 5 million passengers annually, representing nearly 9 per cent of Mumbai airport’s total annual traffic of about 55 million passengers.

Mumbai Airport Terminal 1B Redevelopment to Begin in Phases

The North Section of Terminal 1B accounts for approximately one-third of Terminal 1’s overall capacity.

During the redevelopment, Mumbai airport will continue handling the remaining passenger traffic, according to Adani Airport Holdings CEO Arun Bansal.

The airport operator has also offered airlines the option of temporarily shifting their operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is operated by the same airport group. The move is intended to help minimise disruption during the redevelopment process.

Terminal 1 Capacity to Increase by 33 Per Cent

The redevelopment is expected to significantly increase the capacity of Terminal 1.

Once completed, Terminal 1’s capacity is expected to rise by 33 per cent, increasing from the current 15 million passengers per annum to 20 million passengers per annum.

Adani Airport Holdings said the redevelopment is necessary to address concerns surrounding the ageing infrastructure while improving the long-term capacity of the terminal.

Passenger Safety Cited as Key Reason for Redevelopment

Arun Bansal said passenger safety remains the primary consideration behind the redevelopment.

“Passenger safety must remain paramount,” Bansal said, adding that further delays in starting the redevelopment could affect the safety and convenience of travellers.

According to Bansal, extensive discussions with airlines regarding the future of Terminal 1 have been taking place since 2020.

He also said the proposed redevelopment was presented before the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) and was subsequently incorporated into the approved tariff framework.

While acknowledging concerns raised by certain airlines, Bansal maintained that the safety and convenience of passengers should remain the priority.

Terminal 1 Concerns Identified Over Several Years

The airport operator said concerns regarding Terminal 1 had been identified over several years.

In the absence of an alternative facility, temporary mitigation measures had been implemented to allow operations to continue.

Adani Airport Holdings also said that a fire incident at Terminal 1 in April further highlighted the risks associated with continuing operations at the existing facility.

The phased redevelopment is therefore being planned with the objective of addressing these concerns while maintaining airport operations during the transition.

Navi Mumbai International Airport to Support Airlines

Navi Mumbai International Airport is being positioned as an alternative facility for airlines affected by the phased redevelopment and closure of the relevant section of Terminal 1B.

Airlines have been given the option of temporarily shifting their operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport during the redevelopment period.

The airport operator said this arrangement is intended to help reduce disruption to airline operations and passengers.

Discounts Announced for New International Flights

Navi Mumbai International Airport is offering a 100 per cent discount on landing fees for new international flights, according to Adani Airport Holdings.

The airport 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.

These measures are part of the arrangements being positioned to support airlines and passengers during the phased redevelopment of Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1B.

Redevelopment Discussed With Airlines Since 2020

Adani Airport Holdings said the redevelopment proposal has been under discussion with airlines since 2020.

The company said the plan was also presented before AERA and later incorporated into the approved tariff framework.

The phased redevelopment of the North Section of Terminal 1B is expected to temporarily affect passenger capacity but ultimately increase Terminal 1’s capacity from 15 million to 20 million passengers per year.

With passenger safety cited as the primary consideration, the redevelopment is scheduled to begin in January 2027, while Navi Mumbai International Airport is being positioned as an alternative for airlines during the transition.

Sources by Agency