Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed strong opposition to a proposal that would see international flights shifted from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The Chief Minister has written to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, rejecting plans to relocate services connecting Mumbai with 14 international destinations starting from next summer.
As an alternative to the proposed mass relocation, Mr. Fadnavis has suggested a phased redevelopment strategy for Terminal 1. His proposal involves the construction of Terminal 1B first, followed by a transition of operations from Terminal 1A to the new structure, and the eventual demolition of the existing 1A terminal. The Chief Minister stated that this method would allow airport operations to continue without significant disruption while the infrastructure is upgraded.
The move to shift international flights stems from plans by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) and Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) to redevelop Terminal 1. MIAL has indicated that international operations at Terminal 2 may face a reduction of one-third from the summer 2027 schedule to accommodate domestic traffic displaced by the demolition of Terminal 1. The existing 15-million passenger per annum (mppa) Terminal 1 is set for total demolition by March 2028, with the new facility expected to be operational by December 2030.
Adani Airports CEO Arun Bansal, speaking at the Delhi Aviation India 2026 event, acknowledged the industry's resistance to relocation. He stated that international airlines currently face a choice: shift operations to the new Navi Mumbai airport or temporarily suspend services in the region during the redevelopment period. While some Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air, have reportedly agreed to transition plans, international airlines remain in discussions with the operator.
Key facts
- The proposed shift targets 14 international destinations, including Bahrain, Doha, Dhaka, Jeddah, and Riyadh.
- A phased redevelopment approach is being advocated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to preserve airport capacity.
- MIAL has proposed a 3.042-km underground airside tunnel to connect T1 and T2 aprons, aiming to reduce transfer times.
- Terminal 1 is scheduled for complete demolition by March 2028, with reconstruction concluding by December 2030.
- International airlines may face a reduction in T2 operations beginning in March 2027.
Why it matters
The conflict over airport capacity highlights the significant logistical challenges associated with maintaining passenger traffic in India's busiest transit hubs during major infrastructure upgrades. Airline industry sources have warned that a complete closure of Terminal 1 could lead to a severe capacity shortfall for three or more years, potentially impacting both domestic and international air connectivity to Mumbai.
Source: Economic Times
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