Mumbai airport flight shift plans will change how some Delhi-Mumbai and international travellers use the city’s airports from 2027, when selected services are moved from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport during the redevelopment of Terminal 1. Most Delhi-Mumbai domestic flights will continue to operate from the existing airport’s Terminal 2, but passengers will need to check the airport and terminal code printed on their tickets before travelling.
The change is linked to the reconstruction of Terminal 1 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The nearly six-decade-old terminal, built in 1964, is scheduled to be redeveloped as a four-level modern facility. Construction is planned to begin in January 2027, while demolition of the existing terminal is expected to start from April 2027. The replacement terminal is targeted for completion by December 2030.
During the construction period, around five million passengers and several flight services are expected to be temporarily shifted to Navi Mumbai International Airport. The relocation is intended to keep air traffic operating while work takes place at the existing Mumbai airport. The report did not specify the exact dates on which each individual domestic service would move, making the terminal and airport information on the ticket the key reference for passengers.
Under the summer 2027 schedule, 38 of the 50 international airlines are expected to retain slots at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. At the same time, 12 international airlines operating 16 daily flights to 14 destinations will have to shift their services to Navi Mumbai from the end of March 2027. The affected international services include flights to Gulf countries and other destinations, particularly for travellers using connecting flights.
Domestic airlines will also move selected services. IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air are among the carriers expected to shift flights on 14 routes to Navi Mumbai. The report states that most domestic flights between Delhi and Mumbai will continue to use Terminal 2 at the existing airport, meaning that travellers on those services will still arrive at the airport serving central Mumbai. However, passengers booked on selected routes may instead need to travel to or from Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The redevelopment is expected to increase Terminal 1’s annual passenger capacity from 15 million to 20 million once the new facility becomes operational. Airport authorities have said that, despite the temporary flight movements, 91 percent of the existing traffic capacity at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport will remain unaffected and airlines’ historical slot allocations will be protected.
For passengers, the operational distinction between Terminal 2 at the existing Mumbai airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport will be critical from 2027. The next stage will be the implementation of the summer 2027 flight schedule and the allocation of individual services, after which airlines’ booking information will determine the airport and terminal passengers must use.
