Mumbai [India], October 14: The planned transfer of some international flight operations from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport has been postponed by five months. The transition is now expected to begin with the summer flight schedule in March 2027, following discussions between airport authorities and airlines.
The decision comes after airlines raised concerns over the proposed relocation of international services during the busy winter travel season. The plan was linked to the redevelopment of Mumbai airport’s ageing Terminal 1 infrastructure, which requires changes to existing flight operations and terminal capacity.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which operates Mumbai airport, had earlier asked 46 airlines to temporarily discontinue or shift 265 of their 770 weekly international departure services from Terminal 2. The proposed changes were scheduled to take effect from October 25, 2026, coinciding with the beginning of the winter schedule.
However, the proposal faced resistance from airlines, which sought greater clarity on airport capacity, the redevelopment timeline and the implications for their existing flight slots. The Ministry of Civil Aviation also intervened and asked the airport operator to work with airlines to develop a mutually acceptable transition plan.
During discussions on October 13, senior representatives of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd and airline representatives agreed that historical slot allocations would be respected and that no slots would be disturbed during the winter schedule, according to a statement from the airport operator.
A joint working group will now work over the next two weeks to prepare an implementation plan for the redevelopment of Terminal 1. The plan is expected to address operational requirements and coordinate the transition with airlines. Further discussions are also scheduled as part of the consultation process.
The redevelopment is intended to improve Mumbai airport’s infrastructure and increase the capacity of Terminal 1. Under the earlier plan, domestic operations affected by the redevelopment would be accommodated at Terminal 2, while some international services would move to Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The delay provides airlines and passengers with additional time to prepare for any operational changes. Moving flights between the two airports could affect airline schedules, aircraft rotations, ground-handling arrangements and passengers travelling between connecting services.
Both Mumbai airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport are operated by entities under Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. The revised timeline means that any partial transfer of international flights will be considered for the summer schedule beginning in March 2027, with the final implementation plan to be worked out through further consultations.
For now, international flight operations at Mumbai airport will continue under the existing winter schedule, while airport authorities and airlines work towards a coordinated plan for the proposed transition and Terminal 1 redevelopment.
