CM Devendra Fadnavis says no flights will shift from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai airport; opposes proposed relocation of international services and suggests an alternative plan for Terminal 1 redevelopment

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has opposed the proposed shift of international flights from Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai airport, saying that no flights should be moved out of Mumbai. He has written to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, objecting to the airport operator's plan to shift services connecting Mumbai with 14 international destinations from next summer, reported TOI.

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CM's alternative plan for Mumbai airport's Terminal 1 redevelopment

Instead of shifting flights to Navi Mumbai, the Maharashtra CM has proposed developing Terminal 1B first, moving operations from T1A to T1B and then demolishing the existing T1A terminal. This phased approach would allow airport operations to continue without disruption until the replacement infrastructure is ready.


“I have written to them to first develop Terminal 1B, shift 1A to 1B and then take down the existing 1A terminal,” Fadnavis said

Airlines oppose proposed flight shift, IATA calls for phased redevelopment

The proposed relocation has faced resistance from airlines. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged the aviation ministry to adopt a phased redevelopment approach, under which portions of Terminal 1 would be demolished and reconstructed sequentially to avoid a complete loss of capacity.

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Mumbai airport plans to shift 14 international destinations to Navi Mumbai

Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) has informed the aviation ministry of its plan to move flights connecting Mumbai with 14 international destinations to Navi Mumbai airport from next summer.

Full list of destinations

• Bahrain
• Dammam
• Dhaka
• Doha
• Fujairah
• Jakarta
• Jeddah
• Kathmandu
• Kuwait City
• Madinah
• Muscat
• Ras Al Khaimah
• Riyadh
• Sharjah

Mumbai airport's T2 international operations may be cut by a third from summer 2027

Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has informed airlines about plans to reduce international operations at Terminal 2 by a third from the Summer 2027 schedule, beginning in March-end. The move is intended to accommodate five million passengers per annum (mppa) of domestic traffic displaced by the first phase of Terminal 1 demolition

The existing 15-mppa Terminal 1 is scheduled to be completely demolished by March 2028, with reconstruction beginning thereafter. The new terminal is expected to be ready by December 2030. Airline sources have warned that shutting T1 entirely could leave Mumbai airport facing a substantial capacity shortfall for three years or more.

Mumbai airport proposes underground tunnel connecting T1 and T2 aprons

MIAL has proposed a 3.042-km underground airside tunnel connecting the T1 and T2 aprons, along with additional aircraft parking stands south of runway 09-27. Currently, when T2 runs short of parking space, some aircraft are parked at the T1 apron, requiring passengers and baggage to be transported between the terminals via a perimeter road and runway 14-32. The airport operator has cited lengthy transfer times and monsoon-related delays as reasons for proposing the tunnel.

Adani Airports CEO says airlines can either shift operations or temporarily suspend services

International airlines operating from Mumbai airport have the choice to shift their operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) or temporarily suspend services in the Mumbai region during the redevelopment of the existing airport, Adani Airports CEO Arun Bansal said, acknowledging that airlines are generally reluctant to relocate after operating from the same airport for decades.

Speaking at Delhi Aviation India 2026, Bansal said discussions were underway with international carriers regarding the proposed transition, while Indian airlines, including IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air, had already agreed to arrangements for shifting certain operations.

"We are talking to all the international airlines," Bansal said.

"This is their choice. As I said, there are two choices. Some of the airlines might agree to move to Navi Mumbai. Some of the airlines might decide to suspend their operations temporarily," he added.