Archive · 1 Oct 2026
IATA Opposes Forced International Flight Shift to Navi Mumbai
Airlines may be asked to move some international flights from Mumbai Airport to the new Navi Mumbai Airport.
IATA, a group representing airlines, says the move should not be forced.
It wants each airline to decide whether Navi Mumbai works for its business and operations.
IATA also says airlines were not properly consulted about the plan.
The group wants proof that Navi Mumbai has important services such as cargo, maintenance, catering and passenger connections.
MIAL says Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 must be demolished and rebuilt.
It says airlines can move their flights or temporarily stop them until the new terminal is ready in 2029-30.
The reports give different proposed start dates, October 1 and October 25.
IATA urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation to stop a proposed mandatory transfer of international passenger and cargo operations to Navi Mumbai.
IATA said relocations should be voluntary, commercially and operationally viable, and supported by an agreed airport-readiness process.
The association said airlines were not adequately consulted and need clarity about facilities, schedules, aircraft use, passenger connectivity and slot rights.
MIAL said Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 redevelopment will begin after an earlier delay caused by Navi Mumbai Airport’s unavailability.
MIAL said airlines may move operations or temporarily suspend them until the rebuilt Terminal 1 is commissioned in 2029-30, although reports differ on whether the proposed shift begins October 1 or October 25.
- Who
- The International Air Transport Association, international airlines, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Mumbai International Airport Ltd and Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd are involved.
- What
- They disagree over a proposed shift of international passenger and cargo operations from Mumbai Airport to Navi Mumbai Airport.
- When
- IATA’s letter was dated September 9; proposed start dates reported are October 1 and October 25, while the rebuilt Mumbai Terminal 1 is expected in 2029-30.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Mumbai Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport.
- Why
- MIAL says Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 must be demolished and reconstructed, while IATA says any relocation must be voluntary and operationally and commercially viable.
IATA and International Airlines
Mumbai International Airport Ltd
Whether relocation should be mandatory
IATA and International Airlines
IATA says any transfer should be voluntary and based on each airline’s commercial and operational requirements.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd
MIAL says airlines may move operations to Navi Mumbai or temporarily suspend them while Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 is rebuilt.
Consultation and readiness
IATA and International Airlines
IATA says the proposal was not developed with adequate airline consultation and that an agreed operational-readiness process has not been properly demonstrated.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd
MIAL says Navi Mumbai’s availability provides the alternative needed for Terminal 1 redevelopment to proceed.
Operational capability
IATA and International Airlines
IATA wants clarity that Navi Mumbai has sufficient ground handling, maintenance, catering, cargo, crew, regulatory and passenger-connectivity arrangements.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd
MIAL’s stated plan assumes airlines can use Navi Mumbai during the Terminal 1 redevelopment period.
- IATA position
- IATA is fundamentally opposed to forced airline relocations and wants transfers to be voluntary.
- Proposed scale
- One report says MIAL proposed shifting around one-third of each international airline’s passenger and cargo operations.
- Consultation concern
- IATA said the proposal and transition details were communicated without adequate consultation with international airlines.
- Readiness concerns
- IATA questioned the availability of ground handling, aircraft maintenance, catering, cargo, crew services, regulatory approvals and passenger connectivity at Navi Mumbai.
- MIAL plan
- MIAL said airlines may shift operations to Navi Mumbai or temporarily suspend them until Mumbai’s rebuilt Terminal 1 opens.
- Terminal 1 timeline
- MIAL said Terminal 1 redevelopment will begin in January and is scheduled for commissioning in 2029-30.
- Reported start dates
- The articles cite October 1 and October 25 as possible dates for the proposed transition.
- Slot rights
- MIAL said airlines’ historic Mumbai Airport slot rights will be retained and honoured after Terminal 1 becomes operational.
