Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will demolish its aging Terminal 1 in April 2027, replacing the 1964 structure with a facility capable of handling 20 million passengers annually. The major upgrade addresses urgent safety concerns flagged in recent structural audits.
The existing terminal, commissioned in 1964, presents significant risks. Independent audits by Structwel in 2017 and IIT Bombay in 2024 identified severe structural vulnerabilities. CSMIA presented artistic impressions of the redesign to the Airport Airline Operators Committee, emphasizing a passenger-centric approach.
The new design expands check-in counters from 74 to 109 and increases contact stands from seven to 25. Security screening lanes will jump to 15 passenger and five transfer lanes. These changes aim to cut congestion during peak travel hours.
Passengers will see a sweeping departure entrance and check-in halls with natural light. Interiors will feature art murals reflecting Mumbai’s cultural identity. A large flamingo sculpture will mark the arriving passenger kerbside area.
Construction follows a phased strategy to keep operations running. The T2 North-West Pier expansion will handle interim domestic traffic by March 2029. The new Terminal 1 is targeted for completion by December 2030, raising the airport’s total capacity to 65 million passengers per annum.