Mumbai Airport's Terminal 1 Closes October 25 for a Four-Year Rebuild: What Flyers Need to Know

Mumbai's Terminal 1 stops handling flights on October 25, 2026, and stays shut until roughly 2029-30 while it is demolished and rebuilt. The five domestic carriers that use it, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Alliance Air, Akasa Air and Star Air, must move to Terminal 2, shift to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport, or suspend service.

What Is Closing, and When

Closure date: October 25, 2026 · Demolition starts: January 15, 2027 · Reopening: FY 2029-30

Terminal 1 is roughly 80 years old and handled nearly 15 million passengers in 2025-26, against about 40 million for Terminal 2, according to Business Today. Mumbai Live reports that about a third of Terminal 1's flights shift to Terminal 2 on October 25, with demolition beginning in the north section of Terminal 1B in January.

Which Airlines Are Affected

Affected carriers: IndiGo, SpiceJet, Alliance Air, Akasa Air, Star Air · Not affected: Air India (already at Terminal 2)

All five carriers are domestic operators, per Azat TV's summary of the closure notice. Akasa Air has already moved: it shifted its domestic operations from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 on August 1, 2026. Airlines that leave keep their slot rights for when the rebuilt terminal reopens.

Where the Flights Are Going

Options for airlines: Terminal 2 · Navi Mumbai (NMI) · Temporary suspension · Airport codes: BOM vs. NMI

Mumbai now has two airports, both run by the Adani Group. The Week reports that airlines were asked to move about a third of international flights from Terminal 2 to Navi Mumbai from October 1, though that shift has not fully materialized. Check the airport code on your ticket: the main airport is BOM and Navi Mumbai is NMI.

Why the Rebuild Is Happening Now

Regulator: AERA directive · Original schedule: mid-2025 · Enabler: Navi Mumbai opening

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India ordered the demolition and full redevelopment. The project was first planned for mid-2025 but waited until Navi Mumbai could absorb traffic. To ease the transition, AERA waived landing charges for new international routes and offered multi-year financial concessions, and the combined airports handle about 950 flights daily, as Indian Eagle notes.

Industry Pushback

Opposed by: IATA, Air France-KLM · Main objection: rushed relocations create confusion

The International Air Transport Association formally opposed the accelerated timeline, arguing sudden moves confuse passengers and complicate operations, while Air France-KLM has resisted the shift to Navi Mumbai. The tension shows how a capacity fix for one airport can become a connection headache for travelers, and the Free Press Journal has urged flyers to verify airport and terminal details from October onward.

What Travelers Should Do

Check: airport code, terminal, and transfer time · Buffer: extra time for any Navi Mumbai routing

Confirm your terminal with your airline within a week of departure, and do not assume a route stays the same after October 25. If you are connecting onward, for example to Kochi, treat separate-ticket connections with caution; our visa and logistics guide for Kerala medical travelers covers planning arrivals into India, and our guide to cataract and LASIK surgery in Kerala covers costs and logistics for patients heading to Kochi. Business Today's flyer checklist repeats the same advice.

People Also Ask

When does Mumbai Terminal 1 close?

Terminal 1 at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport stops flight operations on October 25, 2026. Demolition of the north section of Terminal 1B is scheduled for January 15, 2027, and the rebuilt terminal is expected to reopen around FY 2029-30, according to Mumbai Live.

Which airlines fly from Mumbai Terminal 1?

IndiGo, SpiceJet, Alliance Air and Star Air operate domestic flights from Terminal 1, and Akasa Air moved to Terminal 2 on August 1, 2026. All must now relocate to Terminal 2, move to Navi Mumbai International Airport, or pause service until the new terminal opens.

Are international flights moving to Navi Mumbai?

Airlines were asked to shift about a third of international flights from Terminal 2 to Navi Mumbai starting October 1, but reports say the move has not fully taken effect. IATA and Air France-KLM have opposed the push, so routes may change; always verify the airport code on your booking.

What is the difference between BOM and NMI?

BOM is the code for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai's long-standing airport with two terminals. NMI is Navi Mumbai International Airport, which opened recently within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and is also operated by the Adani Group. Travel time from the city differs, so allow extra buffer.

Will my ticket price change because of the terminal closure?

None of the reports reviewed indicate fare changes tied to the closure. However, capacity pressure from shifting terminals could affect schedules, so airlines may adjust timings. Check your airline's notifications and confirm terminal details before heading to the airport.

Facts were checked against current sources as of October 3, 2026; schedules and terminal assignments are changing, so confirm with your airline before you travel.