2 hrs ago
IATA Urges Airlines to Negotiate Mumbai Slot Cuts
Mumbai airport plans to rebuild part of one of its terminals.
To make room for flights during that work, its operator proposed temporarily cutting some international departure slots at another terminal and moving some operations to Navi Mumbai.
The plan could affect 46 airlines.
IATA wants airlines to discuss the timing and alternatives with the airport operator before established flight slots are removed.
It says slot guidelines call for airlines to be consulted and for their existing slots to be protected where possible.
The government has paused the proposal and asked the operator to work out a plan with airlines and other stakeholders.
A meeting is planned for 13 October, and a decision is expected by 20 October.
The transition could also affect passengers and airline operations, and Navi Mumbai has a higher user development fee than Mumbai airport.
IATA urged airlines to negotiate with Adani Airport for a longer transition period before shifting some international operations from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai.
Adani Airport had proposed temporarily discontinuing 265 of 770 weekly international departure slots from Mumbai Terminal 2 starting 25 October, affecting 46 airlines.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation deferred the proposal and asked the airport operator to re-engage with airlines and develop an agreed transition plan.
IATA advised airlines to refer to global and Indian slot guidelines, including rules on consultation and protecting historic slots during temporary capacity reductions.
A stakeholder meeting is scheduled for 13 October, with a resolution expected on or before 20 October; the shift is linked to redevelopment of Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1B from January 2027.
- Who
- IATA, airlines, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- What
- IATA is urging airlines to negotiate over proposed temporary cuts to Mumbai international departure slots and the transition of some operations to Navi Mumbai.
- Where
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai International Airport.
- When
- The proposed slot changes were due to begin 25 October; a stakeholder meeting is scheduled for 13 October, with a resolution expected on or before 20 October. Terminal 1B redevelopment is planned from January 2027.
- Why
- The proposal is connected to the planned redevelopment of Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1B and the associated transition of international operations.
Airline and IATA concerns
Airport transition rationale
Timing and consultation
Airline and IATA concerns
IATA and airline representatives said the previously proposed implementation timeframe was unworkable and urged consultation, a longer transition and practical alternatives.
Airport transition rationale
Adani Airport proposed temporarily discontinuing selected international slots as part of transitioning operations to Navi Mumbai and accommodating domestic flights displaced by the phased Terminal 1 redevelopment.
Treatment of existing slots
Airline and IATA concerns
IATA urged airlines to invoke slot guidelines that call for consultation and protection of historic slots where possible, and said airline choice should be preferred over forced relocation.
Airport transition rationale
The airport operator had asked airlines to identify the slots they wanted temporarily discontinued, saying it would select them if they did not do so.
Passenger and operational effects
Airline and IATA concerns
Aviation advisers cited possible disruption to passenger experience and airline economics, and questioned whether passengers would want to use Navi Mumbai.
Airport transition rationale
The proposed transition is tied to redevelopment needs; the airport operator said around 5 million passengers would be temporarily affected, while moving operations may require changes to airline and airport-linked arrangements.
Key facts
- Proposed weekly slot reduction
- 265 of 770 international departure slots from Terminal 2
- Airlines potentially affected
- 46
- Proposed start date
- 25 October
- Next stakeholder meeting
- 13 October
- Expected resolution
- On or before 20 October
- Redevelopment timing
- Terminal 1B redevelopment is planned to start in January 2027
- Guidance cited by IATA
- Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines and Ministry of Civil Aviation slot-allocation guidelines
- Passenger impact estimate
- About 5 million passengers, or roughly 9% of Mumbai airport’s approximately 55 million annual passengers, would be temporarily affected by the redevelopment, according to the airport operator
Quotes
Mark D. Martin
Founder and chief executive officer of Martin Consulting.
“It’s not just about IATA, Adani or airlines. It is whether moving to Navi Mumbai helps a passenger or not. If not, the passenger will avoid the airport and services offered from it. That has to be the core issue to be looked into.”
livemint.com
“The real issue is not Mumbai vs Navi Mumbai, but how the transition is managed. Any disruption ultimately hits the passenger experience, airline net promoter score and potentially airline economics—not the airport operator alone.”
livemint.com
IATA Slots Team
IATA team responsible for slot-related guidance to airlines.
“Airlines may also choose independently to draw reference to the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines (WASG), Worldwide Airport Slot Board guidance for Managing Temporary Reduction in Airport Capacity, as well as MoCA’s own Guidelines for Slot Allocation.”
livemint.com
Sources
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