Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Mumbai Airlines Demand Safety Audits Before Flight Shift
Mumbai airlines are preparing for a meeting with the airport operator on 13 October.
They want to see reports about whether Terminal 1 is structurally safe and learn exactly how it will be rebuilt.
They also want to know what happened to a planned expansion of Terminal 2 and how busy both terminals are.
The operator proposed moving 265 international departures each week to Navi Mumbai starting 25 October.
Airlines support rebuilding Terminal 1, but they question whether so many flights need to move and want to hear what other options were considered.
The aviation ministry has paused the proposed move and asked the operator to work with the airlines on a new plan.
MIAL says the move would be temporary and that flight times can return after redevelopment adds capacity.
AOC-Mumbai wants MIAL to provide independent structural-safety reports on Terminal 1 ahead of its 13 October meeting.
The airlines also seek a detailed Terminal 1 redevelopment plan, an update on Terminal 2 expansion and monthly 2026 capacity-use figures.
MIAL proposed moving 265 of 770 weekly international departures, involving 46 airlines, to Navi Mumbai from 25 October.
Airlines support rebuilding Terminal 1 but question the need for the proposed reduction and want details of alternatives and slot-allocation compliance.
The civil aviation ministry paused the proposed move and asked MIAL to work with airlines on a revised transition plan.
- Who
- The Airline Operators Committee-Mumbai, Mumbai International Airport Ltd and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- What
- Airlines are seeking safety audits, redevelopment and capacity details, and an explanation for a proposed relocation of international departures to Navi Mumbai.
- When
- The stakeholder meeting is scheduled for 13 October; the proposed relocation was due to begin on 25 October, but the ministry paused the plan.
- Where
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai International Airport.
- Why
- MIAL says capacity changes are needed while Terminal 1 is redeveloped and domestic operations are accommodated.
Airlines
MIAL and Adani Airport
Relocating international departures
Airlines
Airlines support Terminal 1's redevelopment but question the technical and practical case for moving a third of international departures, and want alternatives and capacity evidence.
MIAL and Adani Airport
MIAL says the temporary move is needed to make room for domestic operations displaced during redevelopment; it says flight times can be restored when redevelopment adds capacity.
Safety and planning evidence
Airlines
AOC-Mumbai wants the independent consultant reports cited on Terminal 1's structural condition, plus detailed redevelopment plans and Terminal 2 expansion information.
MIAL and Adani Airport
MIAL has cited Terminal 1's structural safety and capacity needs as reasons for the plan; the articles report that the airlines are seeking the supporting reports and further details.
- Meeting
- Stakeholder meeting scheduled for 13 October.
- Proposed flight shift
- 265 of 770 weekly international departures, across 46 airlines.
- Proposed start date
- 25 October; the ministry subsequently paused the plan.
- Terminal 1 work
- MIAL planned to begin rebuilding the northern section of Terminal 1B in January 2027.
- Terminal 2 capacity under discussion
- A previously envisaged addition of approximately 5 million passengers per annum.
- Airline requests
- Safety reports, a detailed redevelopment plan, capacity data, alternatives assessment and review of slot-allocation compliance.
- Operator's estimate
- MIAL says about 5 million passengers, or 9% of yearly traffic, would be temporarily moved, while about 91% would stay the same.
