MIAL instructs several Middle Eastern airlines to relocate flights to Navi Mumbai due to Mumbai airport reconstruction

Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), managed by the Adani Group, has directed certain airlines from Gulf countries to shift their flights from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai starting in the Summer 2027 season. This is necessitated by the ongoing reconstruction of Terminal 1 at the old airport.

If the airlines decline the relocation, they will have to suspend flights and return once the renovated Terminal 1 is ready in 2029. Both airports—Mumbai and Navi Mumbai—are under the management of Adani Group entities.

In a letter dated October 30, MIAL notified the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) about its plan to transfer all flights from Mumbai to 14 international destinations to Navi Mumbai, beginning in the summer of next year, specifically from late March 2027.

These 14 destinations include Bahrain, Dammam, Dhaka, Doha, Fujairah, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait City, Madina, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, and Sharjah.

According to Cirium's schedule for November 2026, 16 airlines operate 205 weekly flights from Mumbai to these destinations. IndiGo, Air India Group, and Akasa Air have already announced plans to move some of their services to Navi Mumbai. The remaining 12 airlines serve 102 weekly departures on these routes but have not yet issued public statements regarding the relocation of their services from Mumbai.

These 12 airlines are Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Saudia, Qatar Airways, Riyadh Air, Jazeera Airways, SalamAir, Flyadeal, Flynas, and Nepal Airlines. However, it is unknown which of these airlines received the notice sent on Thursday.

Sources indicate that the notification was received by some airlines from Gulf countries. In an email addressed to the affected carriers, MIAL's slot coordination team stated that Mumbai airport's capacity will decrease by five million passengers per annum (MPPA) starting from the next summer season. Consequently, the airport will be unable to accommodate the requested flights for that season.

The letter stated: 'Therefore, Mumbai airport cannot accept the requested slots for your esteemed airline for Summer 2027, which requires a temporary transition from Mumbai starting from early Northern Summer 2027 and subsequent seasons.' The operator requested the affected airlines to move their services from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai airport. MIAL emphasized that this change is temporary, and the existing flight schedules for airlines in Mumbai will be restored after the terminal expansion is complete and additional capacity becomes available.

This notification marked an escalation of the dispute regarding MIAL's plan to shift flights to Navi Mumbai during the Terminal 1 restoration. Previously, the airport operator had asked airlines to voluntarily identify services that could be moved to NMIA to help reduce passenger traffic at Mumbai airport by five MPPA. Foreign airlines opposed this step, demanding more time and better coordination.

In its letter to MoCA dated October 30, MIAL stated that it could transfer all flights between Mumbai and 14 international destinations to Navi Mumbai if the airlines did not submit voluntary relocation proposals by November 3. It noted that consolidating these services into one airport would prevent the splitting of flights between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Currently, Mumbai airport's annual capacity is approximately 55 million passengers. MIAL reported that the temporary reduction of five MPPA would leave about 91 percent of this capacity unchanged.

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business-standard.comOctober 28, 19:03

MIAL requests airlines to submit plans for flight relocations to Navi Mumbai airport by November 3

Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) on Wednesday asked airlines to provide plans for relocating some international flights to Navi Mumbai airport by November 3. This is due to MIAL's plans to temporarily shift traffic equivalent to five million passengers annually from Mumbai airport because of the reconstruction of Terminal 1.

At the meeting held on Wednesday between MIAL and the Airline Operators Committee (AOC), which represents carriers operating at Mumbai airport, a significant number of airlines, especially foreign carriers, opposed the unilateral reduction of slots in the summer 2027 schedule. They demanded that discussions for the next winter schedule begin as soon as possible.

In aviation, the winter schedule runs from the last Sunday of October to the last Saturday of March, while the summer schedule runs from the last Sunday of March to the last Saturday of October. Both MIAL and Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) are managed by the Adani Group.

Over the past few months, MIAL has requested airlines to move 265 out of 770 weekly international flights from Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai. This is necessary for the demolition and subsequent reconstruction of Terminal 1 of the old airport due to safety reasons. Airlines strongly oppose this relocation, calling it 'unilateral,' and demand data on traffic, capacity, and proper consultation.

During Wednesday's meeting, a large group of airlines stated that the reconstruction of Terminal 1 should be carried out in phases, similar to the previous reconstruction of Terminal 2, and that any transition must comply with the Ministry of Civil Aviation's (MoCA) guidelines regarding slot allocation.

At the same meeting, MIAL presented its Terminal 1 reconstruction schedule and emphasized the urgency of the work, which, according to it, has been delayed for more than nine years. The airport operator referred to structural audit reports conducted by Structwel in 2017 and IIT Bombay in 2024, which indicated the need for reconstruction.

MIAL reported that IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air have agreed on plans to relocate international flights to Navi Mumbai during the period from January to the summer season, which will account for about three million passengers per annum (MPPA). The airport operator specified that the remaining 2 MPPA of traffic must also be relocated by the summer of next year.

The operator informed airlines that Mumbai airport's capacity is about 55 MPPA, and the temporary relocation of traffic equivalent to five MPPA will leave about 91 percent of its current capacity unchanged. MIAL stated at the meeting that the total capacity of Mumbai airport will increase to 65 MPPA after the reconstruction of T1 and the expansion of Terminal 2.

MIAL also mentioned that the temporary reduction in traffic at Mumbai airport has already been accounted for in the approved tariff following consultations with stakeholders. It assured airlines that the international traffic temporarily moved to Navi Mumbai will be restored at Mumbai airport after the completion of Terminal 2 expansion.

The airport operator noted that a phased transition will help ensure passenger safety and minimize operational disruptions while supporting the development of Mumbai's dual-airport system.

www.khaleejtimes.comOctober 26, 09:52

Air India Express to shift flights from Sharjah to Navi Mumbai airport as part of phased transition

Air India Express plans to move its existing flights from Sharjah from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport. This transition will be carried out in phases and is expected to be completed by Summer 2027.

This change is part of a broader plan announced by Air India Group and Adani Airports on Sunday. According to this plan, several selected domestic and West Asian routes will be transferred to Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is necessary to support the reconstruction of Terminal 1 at the existing Mumbai airport.

The airline has stated that it will begin operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport in December 2026, starting with four daily domestic flights. Following this, scheduled flights to Kuwait will commence in January 2027, and existing flights to Oman will resume.

Gradually, the airline will transfer services destined for Sharjah, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, and Muscat. The entire process is expected to be completed by the Northern Summer season of 2027, overseen by the International Air Transport Association.

What changes await passengers from the UAE?

This transition means that passengers traveling on affected Air India Express flights between Sharjah and Mumbai will eventually use Navi Mumbai International Airport instead of the current Mumbai airport. Passengers should check their booking details, as the airline is gradually moving services to the new airport, especially for those planning further connections or arranging transport in Mumbai.

Air India Group emphasized that operating flights from both airports will provide travelers with more options and convenience while improving transport connectivity within the Mumbai metropolitan region. The phased transition is also designed to maintain the airline's current operations and ensure the retention of its operational slots at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport during the reconstruction of Terminal 1.

Other Gulf destinations to be transferred

Sharjah is one of several Gulf destinations included in the airline's transition plan. Air India Express will also gradually transfer services to Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, and Muscat to Navi Mumbai International Airport. The airline noted that scheduled flights to Kuwait from the new airport are still subject to obtaining necessary regulatory approvals.

This transition is part of a larger program affecting both domestic and international airlines as Mumbai develops a two-airport system to meet growing passenger demand.

New airport to support future growth

Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed using advanced technologies, multimodal transport links, and infrastructure designed to support future aviation growth. Adani Airport Holdings Limited welcomed the decision by Air India Group to begin operations from the new airport, stating that it will support connectivity and provide passengers with a smoother travel experience.

Air India Group stated that this step will allow it to continue serving the Mumbai market while supporting the reconstruction of the existing airport. The transition will begin with domestic flights in December 2026, followed by selected international routes from January 2027, before the broader transfer is completed by the Northern Summer season of 2027.