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Mumbai Airport Slot Dispute Paused as Airlines Negotiate
Mumbai’s older airport terminal is due to be rebuilt, and the work needs room for flights.
The airport operator proposed moving some international flights to the newer Navi Mumbai airport for a time.
Airlines say moving is costly and complicated, and they do not want to give up their established Mumbai flight times.
The airport operator says the move would be temporary and that those slots would return after construction.
Navi Mumbai has fewer connecting flights and currently charges international passengers a higher user fee.
The government has paused the proposed shift while the airlines and airport company discuss the details.
They are expected to meet on October 13, and the ministry plans to meet stakeholders on October 20.
MIAL proposed suspending 265 of 770 weekly international departure slots at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport from October 25.
The freed capacity would accommodate domestic flights displaced during redevelopment of Terminal 1, scheduled to begin in January 2027.
Airlines objected to a forced move to Navi Mumbai, citing costs, operational demands, limited connections and already-planned schedules.
The government has given airlines and Adani Airport Holdings more time to negotiate; they are due to meet October 13, before a ministry meeting on October 20.
MIAL says the relocation would be temporary and historical slots restored after redevelopment; Adani says Navi Mumbai can handle up to five million international passengers annually.
- Who
- Mumbai International Airport Ltd, Adani Airport Holdings, affected airlines and the civil aviation ministry.
- What
- A proposed temporary relocation of some international flights from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport has been put on hold for negotiations.
- Where
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, in Maharashtra, India.
- When
- The proposed slot reduction would begin October 25; redevelopment of Terminal 1 is scheduled to begin in January 2027. Negotiations are planned for October 13, followed by a ministry meeting on October 20.
- Why
- Terminal 1 at Mumbai’s existing airport is to be redeveloped, requiring capacity for domestic flights displaced from that terminal.
Airlines’ concerns
Airport operator’s case
Moving international flights
Airlines’ concerns
Airlines oppose a forced relocation, saying it requires costly arrangements for ground handling, maintenance, catering, crews and passenger connections. IATA says any shift should be voluntary.
Airport operator’s case
MIAL says the relocation is temporary and that historical slots, along with additional slots, will be restored after Terminal 1 redevelopment.
Need and design of the plan
Airlines’ concerns
The Airline Operators Committee—Mumbai has requested the technical basis for reducing slots, including capacity and demand analyses. Airlines say their winter schedules, aircraft deployments and bookings are largely finalized.
Airport operator’s case
MIAL says Terminal 1 redevelopment cannot be delayed on safety grounds and that shifting a few hundred international flights is easier than moving thousands of domestic flights.
Navi Mumbai as an alternative
Airlines’ concerns
Airlines point to NMIA’s more limited connecting network, developing transport ecosystem, higher passenger fee and the costs of setting up operations there.
Airport operator’s case
AAHL says NMIA has the facilities and connectivity to handle international passengers and has proposed cash vouchers to offset the fee difference and a full waiver of landing charges for new international flights.
Key facts
- Proposed slot reduction
- 265 of 770 weekly international departure slots at Terminal 2
- Proposed start
- October 25, when the winter schedule begins
- Terminal 1 redevelopment
- Scheduled to begin in January 2027
- CSMIA passenger capacity
- Terminal 1 capacity is expected to rise from 15 million to 20 million passengers annually after redevelopment
- Passenger user development fee
- ₹1,225 at Navi Mumbai International Airport versus ₹615 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
- NMIA international capacity
- Adani Airport Holdings says the airport can handle up to 5 million international passengers annually
- Next discussions
- Airlines and Adani Airport Holdings are due to negotiate October 13; the ministry plans a stakeholder meeting October 20
Sources
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