Mumbai Airport T1 redevelopment will shift nearly 30% of international flights to Navi Mumbai Airport from October 1, increasing travel time and transport costs for passengers from Mumbai and surrounding suburbs during the festive travel season.
Mumbai | September 6, 2026
Nearly 30% of international flights currently operating from Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 are scheduled to move to Navi Mumbai Airport from October 1 because of redevelopment work at Terminal 1, according to a report by Loksatta. The shift is expected to affect passengers from Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs, Thane and other parts of the metropolitan region.
The timing coincides with the period around Dussehra and Diwali, when air passenger numbers typically rise. Passengers who previously used Mumbai Airport will need to travel to Navi Mumbai for several flights, adding to their journey time and, for some travellers, increasing dependence on private taxis.
The report said some services have already been shifted. These include morning flights to Delhi operated by Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air, as well as a daytime Akasa Air service to Kochi. An IndiGo flight to Bengaluru scheduled at 7.05 a.m. is also now operating from Navi Mumbai, while an Air India Express service that connected with Bengaluru before continuing to Delhi has been affected by the change.
The changes are particularly significant for passengers travelling for same-day meetings in Delhi and for corporate employees who rely on early morning services. The report also cited tourism businesses as saying that some travellers were reluctant to use the Navi Mumbai airport for the Kochi service and were asking about alternative flights from Mumbai Airport.
Access to Navi Mumbai Airport remains a concern for passengers who do not have private vehicles. While travellers with their own cars can make the journey, passengers from Thane, Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs and other areas may find the airport less convenient to reach by public transport. The report said that many passengers currently have few alternatives to private taxis, which can add substantially to the cost of the trip.
The shift also comes as Mumbai’s two-airport system is being used to redistribute air traffic. Navi Mumbai Airport is expected to reduce pressure on Mumbai Airport over time, but the current change has placed greater importance on reliable and affordable connections between the city’s residential areas and the new airport.
From October 25, one-third of the flights operating from Terminal 1 are expected to be moved to Terminal 2, according to the report. The change could also affect airport workers, including loaders and drivers, who may face changes to their existing deployment as flight operations are redistributed.
The immediate operational schedule, passenger guidance and transport arrangements for the affected services will determine how travellers manage the transition during the festive period.
