Mumbai airport reiterates flight shift plan amid objections

The dispute between Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) and airlines over the proposed transfer of international flights from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) remains unresolved. AAHL has maintained that CSMIA’s annual passenger capacity will need to be reduced by five million from March 2027.

In a communication to the Airline Operators Committee (AOC), which represents airlines operating at Mumbai airport, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) reiterated that the airport would handle around five million fewer passengers annually from the Summer 2027 schedule, when Terminal 1 (T1) closes for redevelopment. Both airports are operated by the Adani Group, according to The Indian Express.

AAHL said individual airlines would have full discretion over their international operations during this period. They could voluntarily shift some of their weekly international flights to NMIA, temporarily suspend services until the redevelopment of T1 is complete, or explore other alternatives.

The development comes amid continued resistance from the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) to the airport operator’s demand that a proposed traffic transition plan be finalised before the next stakeholder meeting, scheduled for October 28. Airlines have opposed the proposed transfer of international operations to NMIA and the cancellation of their slots at CSMIA. In an email to airport authorities, the AOC stated that individual consultations and participation in discussions should not be treated as collective agreement or consent on behalf of other airlines.

The AOC has called for greater transparency over the proposed slot reductions, seeking capacity assessments, operational data and evidence supporting the transfer of flights. It has also urged airport authorities to follow the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s 2013 slot-allocation guidelines and IATA’s Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines.

MIAL began discussions in August on shifting international flights to NMIA to facilitate the redevelopment of Terminal 1. It later proposed moving 265 of CSMIA Terminal 2’s 770 weekly international departures to NMIA during the winter schedule starting October 26. The redevelopment is intended to address ageing infrastructure at Terminal 1, which is set to close for reconstruction.

Following a stakeholder meeting on October 13, attended by AAHL leadership, including Jeet Adani and Arun Bansal, the proposed transition was deferred to March 2027. Airport officials had indicated that the redevelopment and transition would be pursued collaboratively. However, airlines continue to seek clarity on the T1 redevelopment timeline, terminal-wise capacity and alternatives to the proposed traffic reallocation plan. The lack of these details remains a key point of contention ahead of the next stakeholder meeting on October 28.