Mumbai airport, airlines clash over Navi Mumbai shift

Dispute emerges between Adani-owned Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) and airlines over a planned operational restructuring during the gradual renovation of Terminal 1 (T1). The strategy entails relocating domestic flights from T1 to Terminal 2 (T2), while transferring certain international services to the farther Navi Mumbai International Airport.

MIAL cautioned airlines via a letter, stating that several carriers did not attend a meeting on September 16 and have yet to present the transition plans requested by September 25. Consequently, it plans to implement a 33% decrease in international departure slots from 11.59 pm on October 25, resulting in 265 of T2's 770 weekly international slots being affected.

The cuts will impact 46 airlines, with IndiGo facing 74 slot reductions, Air India 33, and Emirates and Etihad Airways facing 10 each. Airlines have until 4 pm on October 6 to decide which slots they wish to temporarily discontinue; otherwise, MIAL will decide based on operational, capacity, and implementation factors. From October 26, MIAL will allocate the vacant T2 facilities, including check-in counters, baggage belts, gates, and office spaces, to domestic airlines departing from T1.

The shift aims to handle approximately 5 million passengers annually. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has opposed the move, stating that any relocation should be voluntary and backed by airline consultation. IATA also expressed concerns about Navi Mumbai's operating ecosystem being unprepared for international services, citing uncertainties surrounding maintenance approvals, catering, ground-handling capacity, widebody aircraft support, and passenger connectivity.