Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 6: Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has finalised slot allocations for 38 of the 50 international airlines operating from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) for the Summer 2027 schedule, ahead of the planned redevelopment of Terminal 1 (T1).
The remaining 12 airlines, which operate around 16 daily departures to 14 destinations, have not been allotted slots at CSMIA from the end of March 2027. These airlines may shift their affected services to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), according to people familiar with the development.
The airport operator expects the arrangement to leave around 91 per cent of CSMIA's existing traffic capacity unaffected. Both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports are part of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), with MIAL operating CSMIA.
The slot allocation follows consultations with international airlines regarding the proposed transfer of some operations to NMIA. MIAL had initially planned to begin shifting certain international services from October 25, 2026, but postponed the transition to March 2027 following concerns raised by several foreign carriers.
The airport operator has assured airlines that their historical slot allocations would be respected and remain undisturbed during the temporary transition.
Meanwhile, domestic carriers, including IndiGo, the Air India group and Akasa Air, announced plans last week to shift flights serving 14 destinations to NMIA. The relocation of domestic and international services is expected to transfer around five million passengers annually from CSMIA to the new airport.
The shift will facilitate the redevelopment of Terminal 1, which was commissioned in 1964 and has a designed annual passenger-handling capacity of 15 million. Following redevelopment, its capacity is expected to increase to 20 million passengers annually.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2027, with the expanded terminal targeted to become operational by March 2029. Demolition of the existing terminal is planned to begin in April 2027.
The redeveloped terminal will also feature four additional domestic bus boarding gates along with upgraded passenger facilities.