Mumbai Airport Operator Tells Airlines to Decide on Navi Mumbai Shift or Suspension From Summer 2027 as Terminal 1 Closes
Why It MattersCapacity lost to a terminal closure at a single-operator airport pushes carriers toward a second Adani-controlled field, a transition that will test slot allocation and schedule planning across Mumbai's international market.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), controlled by the Adani Group, told the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) on Monday that airlines must decide whether to move flights to Navi Mumbai airport, temporarily suspend operations at Mumbai airport, or pursue other alternatives from the summer 2027 (S27) schedule. MIAL said Mumbai airport will handle around 5 million fewer passengers per annum from that schedule because Terminal 1 will close for redevelopment. Both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports are controlled by the Adani Group.
MIAL's message followed an AOC letter two days earlier rejecting any unilateral reallocation of traffic, reduction of slots or relocation of international operations without due process. The AOC said airlines had not agreed to transfer international operations to Navi Mumbai or to any reduction or cancellation of existing slots. MIAL said individual carriers have complete freedom to decide their S27 plans and that participation in consultations with its Airport Operations Control Centre is at each airline's discretion.
The dispute began in August when MIAL started discussions on moving international flights to Navi Mumbai. The operator then proposed shifting 265 of 770 weekly international departures from Terminal 2 to Navi Mumbai during the winter schedule starting October 26. Airlines have questioned the basis for the shift and sought detailed data on terminal capacity, passenger traffic and utilisation, as well as the methodology behind the proposed cut in international operations. MIAL says the redevelopment is needed to address ageing infrastructure at Terminal 1.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation intervened after an October 6 meeting with MIAL, Navi Mumbai International Airport and airlines, asking MIAL to engage stakeholders on a mutually agreed transition plan rather than proceed with its existing proposal. At an October 13 meeting, MIAL assured airlines that historical slot allocations would not be disturbed during the winter 2026-27 schedule and said a joint working group would work on a plan for the Terminal 1 redevelopment. A follow-up meeting between MIAL and airlines is scheduled for October 28.
