Yet-to-be-opened Navi Mumbai T1 airport may reach saturation by next year, fastest for any greenfield airport terminal

As the Navi Mumbai airport prepares to open in late May, passengers will soon face a key decision: continue using the existing Mumbai airport or opt for the new facility. However, within the next decade, this choice will become less significant as the Navi Mumbai airport is projected to dominate, taking over the majority of air traffic in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) by the early 2030s, a TOI report by Manju V stated.

Early Transition and Capacity Adjustments

This winter, only about one-fifth of the 55 million passengers who currently use the Mumbai airport will travel through the new Navi Mumbai airport. Of the 15 million passengers at Mumbai’s Terminal 1 (T1), around 10 million are expected to shift to Navi Mumbai’s T1 by October. The remaining 5 million will continue using Terminal 2 (T2) in Mumbai. To accommodate this transition, Mumbai’s T2 will increase its capacity from 40 million to 45 million passengers.

Currently, all flights at Mumbai’s airport—both domestic and international—operate from a single runway, with passengers then being directed to either T1 or T2. The shift of general aviation flights, including private and charter aircraft, to Navi Mumbai will further ease congestion at Mumbai, leading to a reduction in flight holding times and improved punctuality.

Long-Term Projections and Role Reversal

Looking ahead, Mumbai airport is expected to become a secondary airport for the region as Navi Mumbai’s facilities expand. In the world’s busiest cities, such as London and New York, multiple airports serve different functions, with one being the primary hub and others acting as secondary airports. For example, in London, Heathrow is the busiest airport, while Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton serve as secondary airports. Similarly, New York’s main airport is John F. Kennedy, with Newark Liberty and LaGuardia functioning as secondary airports. In 2024, the current airport will remain Mumbai’s Heathrow this decade, during which the new Navi Mumbai airport will serve as the metropolis’s Gatwick

By 2030, both Navi Mumbai and Mumbai airports are projected to handle over 50 million passengers annually. However, by 2032, Navi Mumbai will overtake Mumbai to become the primary airport, supported by new terminals and additional runway capacity.

Navi Mumbai’s T1, with an initial capacity of 20 million passengers per year, is anticipated to reach saturation by mid-2026, the fastest for any greenfield airport terminal. The second terminal (T2) will be ready by 2029, with a capacity of 30 million passengers per year. Expansion efforts will continue at both Mumbai T2 and Navi Mumbai T1 to accommodate rising passenger numbers.

Navi Mumbai Airport’s Growth and Future Outlook

The Navi Mumbai airport will continue its expansion, with plans for additional terminal buildings and expanded capacity over the next decade. As the airport develops, it will play a significant role in meeting the growing demand for air travel in the MMR.

Mumbai’s Decline as a Major Hub

Despite its current status as one of India’s busiest airports, Mumbai’s growth potential is hindered by land constraints and infrastructure limitations. With no further space for expansion and competition from Delhi airport, which has now surpassed Mumbai in passenger traffic, Mumbai airport is expected to see a decline in its role. As Navi Mumbai continues to grow, it will eventually replace Mumbai as the region’s dominant airport.

However, the rise of the Navi Mumbai airport will not restore Mumbai’s position as the leader in airport traffic. Delhi’s airport, along with the new Jewar airport, will soon have a higher passenger-handling capacity than both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai combined.