MUMBAI, October 1, 2026 — A major shake-up of where flights operate in Mumbai is under way. Mumbai’s main airport (BOM) is preparing to close Terminal 1 later this month, domestic carriers are being told to move out, and the airport operator wants a third of international flights shifted to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) starting today.
What’s changing
- From October 1: Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), the BOM operator, has asked airlines to move about one-third of international flights from Terminal 2 to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI). As of today, the shift had not fully taken effect, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Air France-KLM have pushed back against the forced move.
- By October 25: Terminal 1 at BOM closes to all operations. Airlines currently using T1, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, Alliance Air, Akasa Air and Star Air, must move to Terminal 2, move to Navi Mumbai, or temporarily suspend flights. Akasa Air has already started moving.
- Slots: MIAL says airlines will keep their historic slot rights for when the rebuilt terminal opens.
- January 2027: Demolition of T1 begins.
- 2029–30: The rebuilt Terminal 1 is expected to open.
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | About 1/3 of international flights asked to move from BOM T2 to NMI (airline-by-airline list TBA) |
| Oct 25, 2026 | BOM Terminal 1 closes; domestic carriers move to T2 or NMI |
| Jan 2027 | T1 demolition starts |
| 2029–30 | New T1 expected to open |
What it means for non-revs
- Check the airport code, not just the city. “Mumbai” can now mean BOM or NMI. Confirm which airport your flight uses on your listing and boarding pass, and check again close to departure, because some carriers’ moves have not been finalized.
- Don’t assume an easy connection. If your inbound and outbound flights use different Mumbai airports, you’ll need to travel overland between them. Treat that as two separate trips and allow plenty of time.
- Expect some confusion at T2. As T1 carriers pile into Terminal 2 ahead of the October 25 closure, expect busier check-in and security at T2. Arrive early.
- Loads may shift. Carriers moving to NMI or trimming flights during the transition could change seat availability on specific Mumbai routes. Check loads close in rather than relying on older patterns.
- Specific airline-by-airline moves to NMI are TBA; check with your airline’s employee travel desk before listing.
