The proposed shift of some international flights from Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai has been put on hold after the Civil Aviation Ministry asked Adani Airport Holdings Ltd to defer the plan and consult airlines and other stakeholders before proceeding. The intervention concerns flight operations linked to the redevelopment of Terminal 1 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the ministry’s decision, while also supporting the redevelopment of Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1 and the development of Navi Mumbai International Airport. The global airline body said any major change affecting airport capacity or airline operations should follow a transparent assessment of demand and available capacity.
“We thank the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for its intervention and welcome its decision that the airport operator defer its current proposal and re-engage with all stakeholders before returning with a revised and collaborative transition approach for T1 redevelopment,” an IATA spokesperson said.
Adani Airport Holdings operates both Mumbai airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport. The operator had proposed shifting a significant number of international flights to Navi Mumbai as part of the transition required for the redevelopment of Terminal 1. The ministry’s intervention came a day before IATA issued its statement backing a revised consultation process.
IATA said the proposed transition should give airlines and other airport users an opportunity to examine the capacity requirements behind the plan, consider alternatives that could reduce any loss of capacity and develop arrangements that limit disruption to airlines and passengers. It said these principles were reflected in the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Slot Allocation Guidelines, the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines and airport planning practices.
The association also said the redevelopment of Terminal 1 and the development of Navi Mumbai airport were important for the long-term growth of aviation and international connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Its support for both projects was accompanied by a call for sufficient time to prepare workable operational arrangements before flights are moved.
The immediate issue is the proposed transition between Mumbai airport and Navi Mumbai airport, including how flight schedules and available capacity would be managed during the Terminal 1 works. IATA said an agreement must be reached between Mumbai International Airport Ltd, which operates Mumbai airport, and the airlines using the facility.
“The key thing is to reach an agreement on the revised approach among all parties – MIAL and airlines operating at Mumbai Airport – through consultation,” the spokesperson said.
Moneycontrol reported that it had contacted Adani Airport Holdings for comment and that the report would be updated when the company responds. The ministry’s intervention means the current proposal will be deferred while the airport operator re-engages with airlines and other stakeholders on a revised approach.
