Adani to Revamp Mumbai Terminal 1B Starting Jan 2027
Adani Airports will begin phased redevelopment of Mumbai Terminal 1B in Jan 2027 to upgrade ageing infrastructure while minimizing passenger disruption.
Adani Airports-operated Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) has announced a major phased redevelopment project for the North Section of Terminal 1B. Scheduled to commence in January 2027, the initiative aims to modernize the ageing infrastructure at one of India's busiest aviation hubs.
Focus on Safety and Capacity Expansion
The decision to overhaul the facility stems from urgent safety concerns regarding the current infrastructure. According to Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), the need for repairs became increasingly evident following a fire incident at Terminal 1 in April this year. By upgrading the facility, the company expects to boost Terminal 1's capacity by 33 per percent, increasing it from 15 million passengers per annum (mppa) to 20 mppa.
Key highlights of the redevelopment include:
- Phased Approach: Only the North Section of Terminal 1B—roughly one-third of the terminal's capacity—will be demolished in the first phase to limit operational disruptions.
- Minimal Impact: AAHL CEO Arun Bansal stated that approximately 91% of the airport's passenger traffic will remain unaffected during the process.
- Targeted Demolition: The focus is on the oldest parts of the infrastructure to ensure the facility meets modern safety standards.
Mitigating Passenger and Airline Disruption
With Mumbai Airport handling roughly 55 million passengers annually, the redevelopment is expected to temporarily impact about five million passengers. To manage this transition, AAHL has coordinated with airlines to ensure a smooth flow of operations.
In a strategic move to handle the overflow, airlines have been offered the option to temporarily relocate certain operations to the Navi Mumbai International Airport. This transition is intended to be a temporary measure rather than a permanent shift in traffic patterns. To facilitate this, Navi Mumbai Airport is providing several incentives, including:
- A 100 per cent discount on landing fees for new international flights.
- Cash vouchers for international passengers to offset differences in User Development Fees between the two airports.
A Complementary Aviation Network
The coexistence of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports is expected to create a complementary aviation ecosystem for the Mumbai metropolitan region. "The availability of Navi Mumbai Airport makes it possible to redevelop Mumbai Airport's Terminal 1 in phases rather than shutting the entire terminal," Bansal noted.
The redevelopment proposal has already undergone extensive consultations with airlines since 2020 and has been integrated into the approved tariff framework by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA).