Airlines operating from Mumbai have raised concerns about a proposal to transfer 265 weekly international departures to Navi Mumbai International Airport, seeking detailed safety assessments and operational information before agreeing to the move. The proposed shift is linked to the redevelopment of Terminal 1 at Mumbai’s existing airport, with the transition initially planned to begin on October 25, 2026.
The dispute centres on how flights should be redistributed while infrastructure work is carried out, and whether airlines have received sufficient information to assess the impact on passengers and operations. The airlines have asked for technical documentation, including structural safety reports and details of the redevelopment plan, before committing to the proposed changes.
The plan has also drawn the attention of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which has asked the airport operator to defer its current transition proposal and work with airlines on a mutually agreed arrangement.
Airlines seek safety reports and redevelopment details
The Airline Operators Committee, representing airlines operating at Mumbai airport, has requested several documents from Mumbai International Airport Limited before proceeding with the relocation.
Among the key demands are reports assessing the structural condition of Terminal 1, details of the proposed construction work and updates on expansion plans for Terminal 2. Airlines have also sought information about terminal capacity and the alternatives considered before deciding to shift international services to the new airport.
The requests reflect concerns about the practical consequences of moving a substantial number of flights between two airports serving the same metropolitan region. Airlines must consider aircraft schedules, crew deployment, passenger connections and ground operations when shifting services.
The committee has also sought clarification on whether the proposed changes comply with the applicable rules governing airport slots, which determine when airlines can use airport facilities for departures and arrivals.
The requested information is intended to help airlines assess the implications of the plan before agreeing to a revised operating arrangement.
Why Mumbai airport flights may be moved
The proposed relocation is connected to the planned redevelopment of the northern section of Terminal 1B at Mumbai airport, with work expected to begin in January 2027.
The airport operator has argued that the existing infrastructure requires redevelopment and that temporarily moving some services would help accommodate the construction work. The broader objective is to improve capacity and modernise facilities at the existing airport.
Under the original proposal, 265 of the airport’s 770 weekly international departure slots would be shifted to Navi Mumbai International Airport from October 25. This represents slightly more than one-third of the weekly international departures included in the plan.
The new airport is intended to provide additional capacity for the Mumbai metropolitan region, which faces increasing demand for air travel. However, the availability of infrastructure alone does not resolve the operational challenges associated with transferring established flight services.
Passengers may need to account for different departure locations, while airlines must coordinate schedules and airport services across both facilities.
Aviation ministry seeks a coordinated transition
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has intervened following objections from airlines and asked the airport operator to postpone the existing relocation plan. The aim is to allow further consultation and establish an arrangement that addresses the concerns of the parties involved.
A meeting involving the stakeholders is expected to focus on the safety documentation, redevelopment timetable and practical arrangements required for shifting operations. A revised plan is expected to be developed following these discussions.
The intervention does not necessarily mean that the proposed relocation has been abandoned. Instead, it creates an opportunity for airlines and the operator to work out a transition that takes account of operational requirements and passenger convenience.
What the development means for passengers
For travellers, the immediate priority is to check the airport listed on their individual ticket and monitor any communication from their airline. A proposed change in airport operations should not be treated as confirmation that a particular flight has moved.
The final arrangement will depend on the outcome of consultations between the airport operator, airlines and aviation authorities. Until decisions are confirmed, passengers should rely on official flight information rather than assume that all international services will move to Navi Mumbai.
The dispute highlights the challenge of expanding airport infrastructure while maintaining reliable services. A workable solution will need to balance redevelopment requirements, safety assessments, airline operations and the convenience of passengers travelling through Mumbai.
