Mumbai Airport T1A demolition nears completion as final stretch remains

Levelled ground at the Terminal 1A building of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport in Santracruz

Eight months into the demolition of the defunct Terminal 1A (T1A) at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport, only a half-kilometre stretch of the elevated road outside the building is yet to be razed.

On Tuesday, a source close to the project told mid-day, "As expected, the rain did not delay the project. Just a half-kilometre portion of the elevated road is left to be demolished, and this will be finished in a month." The work will conclude with the piling of debris at the site.

In July, the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) announced on Instagram that, with effect from August 1, Akasa Air would operate all its domestic and international flights out of Terminal 2 (T2) while Air India Express would operate all its domestic flights from Terminal 1 and international flights would continue to operate out of T2 from October 1.

The statement read, "Passengers travelling on these airlines are requested to verify their flight terminals with the respective airlines before proceeding to the airport. We appreciate your cooperation and wish you a pleasant journey."

However, no announcement has been made as to when Terminal 1 will be completely shut for renovation, though it was stated in January 2025 that the terminal, once completely renovated, would be capable of handling about 20 million passengers per annum, and the work to make this a reality was scheduled to be completed in 2028-2029.

History

Terminal 1 comprises the T1A, B, and C buildings. T1A, built in 1992 and known as the ‘old airport' building, was used exclusively by government carrier Indian Airlines, but in 2005, it started accommodating Kingfisher Airlines. After the latter ceased operations, the open space was allotted to GoAir till both the airlines shifted to the then newly opened T2.

The portion of the elevated road, which is to be demolished in a month. Pics/By Special Arrangement

To avoid reduce confusion among passengers, airport operators had started referring to the T1B building as Terminal 1, which is still in use. But alert travellers would notice that the boards on the Western Express Highway still refer to Terminal 1 and Terminal 1B building, the last reminder of the facility's past.

1992
Year Terminal 1A was built