1 hr ago
Airlines Resist Mandatory International Flight Shift to Navi Mumbai
Airlines are being asked to move some international flights from Mumbai Airport to the new Navi Mumbai Airport.
The airlines do not want the move to be compulsory.
They say each airline should decide after checking whether Navi Mumbai works well for its business and operations.
They are also worried about schedules, passengers, aircraft and airport slots.
The International Air Transport Association has asked the aviation ministry for more information.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd says Terminal 1 must be rebuilt and cannot wait any longer.
It says airlines can move to Navi Mumbai from October 25 or temporarily stop those operations.
The rebuilt Terminal 1 is expected to be ready in 2029-30, and MIAL says airlines will keep their old slot rights.
The International Air Transport Association opposes forcing airlines to move international flights from Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 2.
IATA says any relocation to Navi Mumbai should be voluntary and based on each airline’s commercial and operational needs.
Airlines are seeking clarity about operations, passenger connectivity, aircraft use and existing slot rights during the transition.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd says airlines must move to Navi Mumbai or temporarily suspend operations from October 25.
The redevelopment of Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 is expected to be completed in 2029-30, with historic slot rights promised to airlines afterward.
- Who
- The International Air Transport Association, airlines, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Mumbai International Airport Ltd are involved.
- What
- They disagree over whether international flights must move from Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 2 to Navi Mumbai Airport.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Mumbai Airport and Navi Mumbai Airport.
- When
- The proposed operational shift is set to begin on October 25; Terminal 1 is expected to be commissioned in 2029-30.
- Why
- MIAL says Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 must be redeveloped, while airlines want any move to depend on operational and commercial viability.
Airlines and IATA
Mumbai International Airport Ltd
Whether relocation should be mandatory
Airlines and IATA
Airlines say international operations should move to Navi Mumbai only voluntarily and after each airline determines that the airport is commercially and operationally viable.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd
MIAL says airlines must move operations to Navi Mumbai or temporarily suspend them while Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 is redeveloped.
Transition planning
Airlines and IATA
IATA wants clearer information about Navi Mumbai’s operating ecosystem and the effects on schedules, aircraft use, passenger connectivity and existing slots.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd
MIAL says the new Navi Mumbai facility provides the alternative needed to proceed with Terminal 1’s redevelopment.
Mumbai Airport capacity
Airlines and IATA
IATA opposes reducing Mumbai Airport capacity to require airlines to transfer a specified share of operations to Navi Mumbai.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd
MIAL maintains that Terminal 1 redevelopment cannot be delayed, requiring operations to shift as Navi Mumbai becomes available.
Key facts
- Airline position
- IATA wants the move to Navi Mumbai to be voluntary.
- Airport operator
- Mumbai International Airport Ltd operates Mumbai Airport.
- Proposed start date
- Airlines are to choose between moving operations or temporarily suspending them from October 25.
- Terminal 1 timeline
- The redeveloped Terminal 1 at Mumbai Airport is expected to be commissioned in 2029-30.
- Historic slots
- MIAL says airlines’ historic Mumbai Airport slot rights will be retained and honoured after Terminal 1 reopens.
- Earlier construction plan
- Terminal 1 demolition was originally planned for mid-2025 but was postponed because no alternative facility was available.
Sources
Related news
Mumbai Airport, Airlines Clash Over Navi Mumbai Flight Shift
Air France-KLM Rejects Split Mumbai Operations Amid Navi Mumbai Shift
IndiGo Reworks Navi Mumbai Flights Ahead of Terminal Redevelopment
Navi Mumbai Airport Gets Waiver to Attract International Routes
Adani Seeks Approval for US Pre-Clearance at Navi Mumbai Airport
Three Italians Fly From Delhi Without Immigration; Air India Notified
CCPD Fines Air India, Recommends Compensation for De-Boarded Wheelchair User
Delhi Airport Launches Free Reading Zone For Waiting Passengers
Air India Ordered to Pay Rs 5 Lakh Over De-boarding
India, Vietnam Revise Air Deal, Raise Weekly Seat Capacity
