The airport operator has issued a second reminder urging airlines to engage with its proposed transition plan. However, carriers maintain that they have neither agreed to relocate flights nor surrendered their existing slots.
Airlines Question Need for Mumbai Airport Capacity Cuts
The Airline Operators Committee-Mumbai, which represents 47 airlines, has argued that the need for the proposed capacity reduction has not been adequately established. It has pointed out that Terminal 1 currently handles fewer than 10 million passengers annually, while an additional five million passengers’ worth of capacity is expected to become available at Terminal 2 by March 2027.
The committee has requested detailed information about Terminal 1’s redevelopment plans, structural safety assessments, terminal-wise capacity and utilisation figures, and compliance with domestic and international slot-allocation guidelines.
Airlines have maintained that access to verifiable operational data is necessary before they can assess the proposed changes and their implications for flight schedules.
Navi Mumbai Shift Raises Operational Concerns
The proposed relocation would affect selected international operations of 46 airlines, with MIAL seeking to redistribute traffic to accommodate passengers displaced during the redevelopment of Terminal 1.
However, airlines have raised concerns about shifting operations to NMIA, which is approximately 50 km from Mumbai airport. They argue that operating from two separate airports could increase costs, complicate crew and aircraft management, and inconvenience passengers connecting between flights.
Carriers are also seeking clarity on the proposed transition arrangements and the implications for their existing slots before committing to any operational changes.
Civil Aviation Ministry Puts Proposed Changes on Hold
MIAL has maintained that the capacity restriction is necessary to facilitate Terminal 1’s redevelopment. The airport operator has said airlines can decide whether to shift some or all of their operations to Navi Mumbai or consider alternative arrangements.
Following objections from carriers, the Civil Aviation Ministry placed the proposed changes on hold. The winter flight schedule is therefore set to continue without the planned slot cuts.
The outcome of the discussions will determine how international flight operations are managed during the redevelopment of Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1 and whether airlines will be required to adjust their operations between the two airports.
