A message has been circulating on social media about operations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) changing from October 1. The message reads, “From October 1, 2026, one-third of the air traffic movement at Mumbai airport will be shifted to Navi Mumbai International Airport.” This comes as demolition of the Terminal 1A building in Santacruz East gets closer to completion.
This shift could make things difficult for employees, especially ground and janitorial staff at Mumbai airport, many of whom reside around the airport in Jari Mari or Vile Parle areas as they will have to look for transport or residence in Navi Mumbai till Terminal 1 is renovated.
When mid-day contacted MIAL with the forwarded message, authorities said that the message has not been sent by them, and the information was not given out by them.
T1 demolition update
About 90 per cent of the Terminal 1 demolitions have already taken place, with the exception of the old elevated road of the airport. Speaking with the reporter, the demolition contractor said, “We are planning the demolition, which might start in January. So far, all the demolition works have gone smoothly, and we hope for the same in future.”
Shift in operations
CSMIA’s Terminal 1A has been under demolition work since November of 2025. The 80-year-old building had been unused since 2017. When demolition plans were announced, the airport operator had also announced that as Terminal 1 will be under renovation starting in 2027, a portion of the flight schedules will be shifted to the Navi Mumbai airport.
Employees informed
Though the information has not been confirmed or denied by Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), mid-day got confirmation from Sanjiv Shah, vice president of All India Airport Authority Employee Union in Mumbai. “We circulated the message about four days ago when the airport management forwarded us this information. This was so that all the employees also know that change is coming in the next few months,” Shah said.
Union Speak
Sanjiv Shah, vice president, All India Airport Authority Employee Union-Mumbai
‘The union is speaking with airport authorities for Mumbai airport employees to find employment at Navi Mumbai airport, if and when operations at CSMIA change. We know that airport authorities will do that, but the fact remains that many might choose not to go as it is far from where they live in Mumbai.’
Employee Speak
A ground staffer
‘We are not sure what to do since the message has come just now. Our families have been settled near the airport, and shifting to Navi Mumbai will be difficult. But if necessary, we will have to do it. A majority of us are still confused about this.’
Timeline of change…
October 1, 2026: One-third of air traffic movement at Mumbai airport will be shifted to Navi Mumbai International Airport
October 25, 2026: One-third of the flights currently operating from Terminal 1 will be shifted to Terminal 2
January 15, 2027: Demolition work on northern section of Terminal 1B scheduled to begin
* This article was originally published here
No comments:
Post a Comment