Adani Airports to begin partial redevelopment of the North section of Terminal 1B at Mumbai Airport
Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL)-operated Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) will begin redevelopment of the North Section of Terminal 1B. Safety concerns regarding the 60-year-old building have prompted phased redevelopment of the said terminal.
Redevelopment Plan
- Reason: Safety concerns with the 60‑year‑old building, heightened after the April fire incident.
- Scope: Only the North Section of Terminal 1B (about one‑third of T1 capacity) will be demolished in Phase 1.
- Timeline: Redevelopment begins January 2027.
- Capacity Boost: Post‑redevelopment, T1 capacity will rise by 33% (from 15 mppa to 20 mppa).
Passenger Impact
- Mumbai Airport handles ~55 million passengers annually.
- Only 5 million passengers (~9%) will be temporarily affected.
- 91% of traffic remains unaffected during redevelopment.
Transition to Navi Mumbai Airport
- Airlines may temporarily relocate operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) at their discretion.
- AAHL will provide full support for smooth migration.
- Temporary measure only – not a permanent shift of traffic.
Incentives at Navi Mumbai Airport
- 100% discount on landing fees for new international flights.
- Cash vouchers for international passengers to offset differences in User Development Fee (UDF) between NMI and BOM.
- Modern infrastructure ready to absorb additional traffic.
Leadership Statements
- Arun Bansal, CEO, AAHL: Passenger safety is paramount; redevelopment cannot be delayed further.
- Extensive consultations with airlines since 2020; plan incorporated into approved tariff framework.
Strategic Context
- Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Airports positioned as complementary hubs to address aviation infrastructure constraints in India’s commercial capital.
- Redevelopment ensures long‑term safety, capacity expansion, and operational resilience.
👉 In essence, this phased redevelopment balances urgent safety needs with minimal disruption, while leveraging Navi Mumbai Airport as a relief valve during construction.
