Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will retain its planned winter international flight schedules after the airport operator deferred a proposal to cut weekly departures by 33% following objections from airlines. The proposed reduction has been pushed to March 2027, allowing carriers to operate their winter schedules as planned while discussions continue on the redevelopment of Terminal 1 (T1).
The proposal would have removed 265 of the 770 weekly international departures from Terminal 2 (T2) to accommodate passengers displaced by the partial redevelopment of T1. Following discussions between the airport operator and airlines, the two sides have agreed to work towards minimising disruption and developing an operational plan for the terminal redevelopment.
Adani Airports and Airlines Agree to Further Discussions
At a meeting on Monday, Adani Airports Holding Limited (AAHL) director Jeet Adani and CEO Arun Bansal assured the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) that disruption would be kept to a minimum and historical slot allocations honoured, according to a spokesperson for Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL).
The two sides also agreed to establish a joint working group to plan the redevelopment of T1’s ageing infrastructure. Airlines have reportedly committed to supporting the project and helping balance traffic from the summer schedule, which begins at the end of March.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled for October 28. Until then, airlines will work with airport authorities and slot allocation teams to determine the operational details. MIAL has also promised full support to airlines willing to shift operations voluntarily to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
How the Mumbai Airport Dispute Began
The dispute began with an earlier directive asking airlines to either move operations to NMIA voluntarily or temporarily suspend domestic flights from T1-B. Airlines were given until October 25 to decide, but opposed the directive over concerns about the consultation process and its timing, which coincided with the start of the winter schedule.
T1-B handles around five million passengers annually, accounting for nearly a third of T1’s traffic. The section is scheduled for demolition and reconstruction from January 2027, with the redeveloped facility expected to be commissioned from 2029-30.
Airlines Reject Proposed Cuts at Terminal 2
To accommodate passengers displaced by the T1 redevelopment, MIAL subsequently proposed reducing international departures from T2 by 33%. Airlines rejected this proposal as well, raising concerns about the operational implications of reducing services during the winter schedule.
The proposed cut would have affected 265 of the airport’s 770 weekly international departures from T2. Deferring the plan means airlines can continue operating their published winter schedules while discussions over capacity management and the redevelopment timeline proceed.
Civil Aviation Ministry Steps In
On October 6, the Union government intervened, with the Ministry of Civil Aviation deferring the proposal and directing the airport operator and airlines to reach a mutually agreed solution.
During the discussions, airlines also sought T1’s structural safety audit reports, alternatives to shifting operations to NMIA, and data on capacity utilisation at both terminals. These requests formed part of the wider debate over how to manage traffic while redevelopment work progresses.
Redevelopment Planning to Continue
According to MIAL, stakeholders at Monday’s meeting reiterated their commitment to developing Mumbai airport to the standards expected by the city’s residents. The joint working group is expected to help coordinate the redevelopment plan and address operational concerns raised by airlines.
For now, the deferral provides continuity for international passengers during the winter schedule. The next phase will depend on discussions between the airport operator, airlines and relevant authorities, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for October 28 and the proposed flight reductions deferred until March 2027.
