Mumbai [India], October 19: Airlines have opposed a proposal to shift a portion of international flights from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai to the Navi Mumbai International Airport, raising concerns over flight-slot reductions, consultation procedures and the operational impact of the proposed changes.
The dispute centres on a plan to move around one-third of international departures from Mumbai airport’s Terminal 2 (T2) to Navi Mumbai from the summer schedule of 2027. The proposal is linked to the planned redevelopment of Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1 (T1), which is expected to require changes in how domestic passenger traffic is handled.
Airlines Challenge Proposed Flight Transfers
The Airline Operators Committee (AOC) has objected to the proposed changes, maintaining that flight slots should not be reduced or transferred without following the prescribed process and securing appropriate consultation with affected airlines.
Airline representatives have also questioned whether separate discussions with individual carriers can be treated as collective agreement by the wider airline community. They have called for the process to comply with the applicable slot-allocation rules and guidelines.
The disagreement highlights the operational challenges involved in coordinating two airports serving the Mumbai metropolitan region. Airlines need sufficient notice to adjust aircraft schedules, crew deployment, connecting flights and passenger bookings.
Why Mumbai Airport Wants to Redistribute Flights
The proposed changes are connected to the redevelopment of Terminal 1 at Mumbai airport. The airport operator has argued that the redevelopment will require domestic passenger traffic currently handled at T1 to be accommodated elsewhere, including at Terminal 2.
Under the proposal, around 50 lakh international passengers annually could be shifted to Navi Mumbai International Airport as part of a broader plan to balance traffic between the two facilities.
Airlines, however, have questioned the need to reduce international operations at T2 to make room for domestic passengers. They have sought detailed information about terminal capacity, projected passenger demand, renovation requirements and the operational arrangements planned during redevelopment.
Winter Flight Schedule to Remain Unchanged
The immediate dispute had intensified after a proposal to reduce 265 of Mumbai airport’s 770 weekly international departure slots during the winter schedule was raised earlier in October. The change could have affected dozens of airlines and disrupted services for passengers who had already booked their journeys.
Following discussions with airline representatives and intervention by the civil aviation authorities, the airport operator agreed not to disturb existing airline slots during the winter schedule, which runs until the end of March 2027.
Attention has now shifted to the summer 2027 schedule, when the airport operator hopes to advance its traffic-redistribution plans. Airlines are seeking further clarification before agreeing to any changes.
Next Meeting Scheduled for October 28
The airport operator and airline representatives are expected to continue discussions, with another meeting scheduled for October 28. The discussions are intended to address concerns about capacity, flight slots and the proposed redevelopment of Terminal 1.
The outcome could influence how international flights are distributed between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports in the coming months. Any transition will need to account for operational requirements, passenger convenience and the interests of airlines operating from the region.
For passengers, the immediate position is that existing winter-schedule slots are not being changed under the current arrangement. The longer-term impact on international services will depend on the outcome of consultations and the final plan for the summer 2027 schedule.
