Several airlines have refused to move their international operations to the new Terminal 1 at Navi Mumbai airport, despite the terminal's recent revamp. The reluctance comes nearly a decade after plans for the terminal were initiated, with airlines preferring to continue operating from Mumbai's existing airport facilities, according to livemint.com.
The resistance stems from concerns over connectivity and passenger convenience, as Navi Mumbai airport is located farther from the city center compared to the current Mumbai airport. Airlines argue that shifting international flights to Navi Mumbai could inconvenience travelers due to longer travel times and limited transport options. The revamped Terminal 1 was designed to handle international traffic, but the airlines' refusal has delayed the intended operational shift, livemint.com reports.
This hesitation impacts the broader strategy to decongest Mumbai's main airport, which faces capacity constraints. Comparable airport expansions in other Indian metros have seen smoother transitions, but the unique geographic and infrastructural challenges around Navi Mumbai have complicated matters. The situation underscores the difficulties in balancing infrastructure development with airline and passenger preferences in India's aviation sector, according to livemint.com.
The Mumbai airport authorities continue to engage with airlines and stakeholders to facilitate the transition. The Terminal 1 revamp project, which began nearly ten years ago, remains incomplete in its operational goals as of October 2026, with no confirmed date for when international flights will fully shift to Navi Mumbai, livemint.com states.