Mumbai Airport Flight Cuts
Mumbai airport cuts weekly international flights to accommodate terminal redevelopment and domestic traffic.
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The redevelopment is planned in phases rather than as an immediate full closure: work initially affects the northern section of Terminal 1B, which serves about 5 million passengers a year. One-third of flights are expected to move first, with the full transition anticipated by January 2027; another 10 million passengers are expected to continue using Terminal 1 during the transition.
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MIAL said it had convened a meeting with airlines on September 16 to discuss the transition, but some airlines did not attend, and several did not submit requested transition plans by September 25.
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IATA had asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation to intervene over the proposed relocation, saying the transition plan had not been devised in consultation with air carriers.
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The redevelopment is reported to extend through 2029–2030, with the project expected to raise terminal capacity by 42% once completed.
Mumbai's main airport will temporarily cut 265 of its 770 weekly international flights—about one-third—starting October 25 to make room for domestic services Aviation Jeta. The reduction stems from redevelopment work on Terminal 1, which serves roughly 5 million passengers yearly. IndiGo faces the biggest hit with 74 weekly services cut, while Air India loses 33; Emirates and Etihad each lose 10 flights Traders Union.
The airport operator has asked airlines to identify which slots they'll surrender by October 6 Economic Times. IATA has objected to moving some services to a nearby new airport, saying the plan wasn't developed with airline input Telegraph India.
Why Terminal 1 Needs Major Redevelopment Work
Terminal 1 is undergoing a phased expansion to boost capacity by 42% once complete around 2029–2030 Article WN. The redevelopment begins with the northern section of Terminal 1B. About 10 million passengers will still use Terminal 1 during the transition, while affected flights move temporarily to Terminal 2 or Navi Mumbai Article WN.
Airlines Must Choose Which Flights to Cut by October 6
The airport operator met with airlines on September 16 to discuss the shift Traders Union. However, some carriers didn't attend, and several failed to submit transition plans by the September 25 deadline. If airlines don't volunteer which flights to cut, the airport said it will use operational data to decide for them Economic Times.
Some Services May Shift to Navi Mumbai International Airport
Several affected international routes are expected to move to Navi Mumbai International Airport, a newer facility nearby Telegraph India. However, IATA—the global airline trade group—has pushed back, saying the relocation feels forced and that the airport didn't consult airlines properly during planning. IATA asked India's Ministry of Civil Aviation to intervene in the matter Telegraph India.
A Phased Transition Means Gradual Passenger Shifts
Rather than shutting Terminal 1 completely, the airport is moving passengers in stages Article WN. The initial one-third of flights—265 slots—will shift first, with the full transition expected by January 2027. This staged approach keeps 10 million passengers using Terminal 1 while work continues around them Aviation Jeta.
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