Airlines operating from Mumbai have opposed the proposed relocation of international flights to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), stating that they have neither accepted the transfer nor agreed to surrender or reduce their existing slots at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
The Airline Operators Committee (AOC), representing carriers at Mumbai airport, has called on Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), controlled by the Adani Group, to provide a clear, evidence-based explanation for the proposed restrictions. The plan involves moving a portion of international operations to Navi Mumbai to enable the redevelopment of Terminal 1.
In its communication to MIAL, the committee stressed that consultations with individual airlines should not be treated as consent. It has also requested verifiable capacity assessments and operational data supporting the proposed changes.
MIAL has suggested transferring around 33% of international departures to NMIA. The redistribution is intended to create room for domestic flights affected by the Terminal 1 redevelopment. Mumbai airport currently handles approximately 55 million passengers annually, while the operator estimates that reconstruction-related restrictions could temporarily reduce capacity by about five million passengers a year.
Airlines have questioned whether these cuts are necessary, citing Terminal 1’s existing capacity and additional capacity expected at Terminal 2. They argue that sufficient evidence has not been presented to justify restricting international flight slots.
MIAL has offered carriers several options for the summer 2027 schedule, including shifting some or all services to NMIA, suspending operations until Terminal 1 reopens, or exploring alternative arrangements. The operator has said airlines can determine their own plans following consultations with network-planning teams. It has also indicated that historical slots will be restored after redevelopment.
However, carriers maintain that these options do not resolve concerns over the transfer or constitute agreement to relinquish slots.
The disagreement follows discussions involving airport authorities, airlines and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which called for further consultations and a mutually agreed transition plan. MIAL has committed to retaining existing slots during the winter schedule ending in March 2027, while a joint working group is expected to develop an implementation plan.
A meeting between MIAL and airline representatives is scheduled for October 28. Its outcome could influence summer 2027 scheduling and affect passengers’ flight availability, airport access and connecting journeys across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
Source: Construction World
