Adani seeks international flight shift to Navi Mumbai airport

MIAL has proposed temporarily shifting international flights to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) for 14 destinations, citing airlines’ failure to submit transition plans. The airport operator urged the Centre to direct MIAL and the CSMIA slot coordinator to confirm the historical slots of all existing airlines for the Summer 2027 schedule, beginning in late March.

The dispute arises from MIAL’s plan to redevelop Terminal 1-B, which is expected to continue until 2029-30. To accommodate displaced passengers, MIAL initially proposed reducing 33% of weekly international operations at Terminal 2 from October 25.

MIAL asked airlines to submit transition plans and surrender slots by October 6, warning that operational data would be used if plans were not submitted. Airlines were also urged to shift operations to NMIA or suspend them until T1 was operational.

Airlines have resisted the proposal, citing potential disruptions and operational challenges. IATA requested an independent assessment of NMIA’s readiness, including ground-handling, cargo facilities, and crew accommodations. MoCA intervened, deferring the proposal to the Summer 2027 schedule.

Adani Airports Holding Limited assured airlines that disruptions would be minimal and historical slots would be honored. Domestic carriers like IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air indicated they would shift some international operations to NMIA starting December 2026.

Foreign airlines, including Air France and Emirates, have expressed hesitation about relocating operations to NMIA, citing concerns over readiness, costs, and the logistical challenges of operating between two airports nearly 40 kilometers apart. Emirates questioned NMIA’s cargo and catering facilities, while Air France-KLM called the arrangement operationally inefficient.

The proposed capacity reduction comes amid declining international passenger traffic at CSMIA. In March 2026, the airport handled 11.46 lakh international passengers, down from 12.68 lakh in March 2025, due to factors like the West Asia conflict and rising fuel prices.

Adani maintains that the redevelopment of T1 cannot be delayed, citing structural issues identified in an IIT Bombay audit. The project was deferred during the pandemic but is now set to proceed. MIAL argues the transition would affect only 9% of CSMIA’s total capacity, with redevelopment expected to increase T1’s annual capacity by 33%.

MIAL set November 3 as the deadline for airlines to submit transition plans for the Summer 2027 schedule. Airlines have also raised concerns about the consultation process, arguing it did not follow the 2013 MoCA slot allocation guidelines. The AOC and IATA await formal slot allocation decisions, with foreign airlines threatening to approach their home country regulators if historical slots are denied.

Passengers face potential inconvenience due to the split between CSMIA and NMIA. Connecting flights may involve longer travel times, higher transfer costs, and missed connections.