Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Mumbai Airport Plans 265 Weekly International Slot Cuts
Mumbai airport has two terminals, and international flights use Terminal 2.
The airport operator wants to temporarily remove 265 international flight slots each week starting October 25.
That is about one-third of the slots currently available.
The operator says it needs Terminal 2 space and equipment for domestic flights while Terminal 1 is redeveloped.
The change would affect 46 airlines, including IndiGo and Air India.
Airlines say they support improving Terminal 1 but have not agreed to these cuts.
They worry that changing approved schedules could affect flights, planes and passengers.
IATA wants the airport and airlines to agree on a workable plan, and airlines oppose being forced to move operations to Navi Mumbai.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd proposes temporarily discontinuing 265 of 770 weekly international departure slots at Terminal 2 from October 25, a reduction of about 33%.
The proposal affects 46 airlines; IndiGo faces 74 weekly slot cuts and Air India 33, with reductions also proposed for other Indian and international carriers.
MIAL says vacated Terminal 2 facilities will support scheduled domestic operators as about five million passengers a year move from Terminal 1 during redevelopment.
Airlines object to the proposed cuts, citing limited consultation, disruption to approved schedules and passenger commitments, and lack of consent to unilateral cancellations.
IATA has sought government intervention and called for a stakeholder-backed, commercially viable transition that protects existing slot entitlements; airlines are also resisting forced transfers to Navi Mumbai.
- Who
- Mumbai International Airport Ltd and 46 airlines operating international services from Terminal 2.
- What
- MIAL proposes temporarily discontinuing 265 of 770 weekly international departure slots, about a 33% reduction.
- When
- From 11:59 p.m. on October 25; the articles identify it as the start of the winter schedule but do not consistently specify the year.
- Where
- Terminal 2 at Mumbai airport.
- Why
- To make Terminal 2 resources available for domestic operations during the redevelopment and closure of Terminal 1.
MIAL’s transition plan
Airline and IATA objections
Temporary cuts to international slots
MIAL’s transition plan
MIAL says the proposed reductions are part of the operational transition needed to accommodate domestic traffic while Terminal 1 is redeveloped.
Airline and IATA objections
Airlines say support for Terminal 1’s redevelopment does not mean they consent to flight cancellations or reduced Terminal 2 operations; they want consultation and say changes could disrupt schedules and passengers.
Consultation and implementation
MIAL’s transition plan
MIAL says it sought airline transition plans and gave carriers a deadline to identify slots for temporary discontinuation, stating it would determine the slots if they did not respond.
Airline and IATA objections
Airlines and IATA call for a detailed, collaborative transition framework and oppose unilateral implementation. IATA says arrangements should be commercially and operationally viable and protect established slot entitlements.
Potential transfers to Navi Mumbai
MIAL’s transition plan
MIAL has sought airline transition planning, and the reports describe proposals involving a partial shift of operations to Navi Mumbai.
Airline and IATA objections
IATA says relocation should be based on market forces and airline choice rather than being mandated. Air France-KLM said splitting its operations between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai would not make sense.
- Proposed weekly slot reductions
- 265 international departure slots
- Current weekly international schedule
- 770 slots operated by 46 airlines
- Share of capacity proposed to be removed
- About 33%
- Largest listed reductions
- IndiGo: 74 weekly slots; Air India: 33
- Other listed reductions
- Akasa Air: 11; Air India Express: 7; SpiceJet: 5; Emirates and Etihad Airways: 10 each
- Domestic passenger transition
- About five million passengers a year from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2
- Airline response deadline
- MIAL asked airlines to identify slots for temporary discontinuation by 4 p.m. on October 6; it said it would choose slots for nonresponding airlines.
- Planned resource reallocation
- MIAL plans to begin reallocating Terminal 2 counters, baggage belts, gates and office space to domestic operators from October 26.
Sources
Airlines reject 33% cut in international slots at Mumbai airport T2 from Oct 25: Report
265 weekly intl flights to be cut from Mumbai airport
Mumbai Airport Threatens 265 Weekly International Slot Cuts From October 25 Amid Airline Standoff
