New Delhi, Oct. 3 -- Adani Airports will begin phased redevelopment of Mumbai airport's ageing Terminal 1 from January 2027, starting with the North Section of Terminal 1B, citing safety concerns around the nearly 60-year-old facility.
About 5 million passengers annually, or roughly 9 per cent of Mumbai airport's total traffic of around 55 million, will be temporarily affected in the first phase, while 91 per cent of traffic will continue normally, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) said on Saturday. Airlines operating from the affected section can temporarily shift services to the newly operational Navi Mumbai International Airport, with AAHL supporting the transition.
"91 per cent of Mumbai Airport's passenger traffic will remain unaffected... Only the North Section of Terminal 1B, which accounts for around one-third of T1's capacity, is being demolished in Phase 1 to minimise passenger inconvenience and operational disruption," said Arun Bansal, CEO, AAHL.
Terminal 1 handles about 15 million passengers annually & its redevelopment is expected to raise capacity by 33 per cent to 20 million. Bansal said passenger safety must remain paramount, adding that consultations with airlines have been underway since 2020 and the redevelopment was incorporated into the approved tariff framework. He said Navi Mumbai airport's availability makes phased redevelopment possible without shutting the entire terminal.
Navi Mumbai is offering a 100 per cent discount on landing fees for new international flights. AAHL said Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports will operate as complementary facilities.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.