Airlines Challenge Mumbai Airport Summer Slot Cut Plan

Dispute Over Operational Shifts

Airlines operating at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) have formally rejected a proposal by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) to relocate a significant portion of international operations to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The dispute centers on a plan to transfer 5 million international passengers per annum from Terminal 2 to the new facility beginning in the summer 2027 season.

In a letter dated October 17, 2026, the Airline Operators Committee (AOC), representing 47 domestic and international carriers, stated that it "categorically rejects any unilateral traffic reallocation, slot reduction or cancellation or relocation of international operations without due process." The AOC further asserted that individual consultations with select carriers do not constitute collective agreement for the proposed shift.

Context of Slot Reductions

The current conflict follows an October 1 proposal by MIAL to temporarily reduce 265 of the airport's 770 weekly international departure slots starting October 25, 2026. This initial plan aimed to accommodate domestic passengers displaced by the planned demolition and reconstruction of Terminal 1, which handles fewer than 10 million passengers per annum against a 15 million capacity. Following intervention by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, MIAL agreed to maintain historical slot allocations through the end of the winter schedule in March 2027.

However, the operator continues to pursue a "traffic balancing" strategy for the summer 2027 season. The AOC has demanded that MIAL provide comprehensive data, including structural safety assessments for Terminal 1, implementation timelines, and verifiable capacity assessments, before any further operational changes are considered. The committee emphasized that any proposed modifications must adhere to the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s 2013 slot-allocation guidelines and the International Air Transport Association’s Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines.

Future Milestones

Airlines have requested a formal response from MIAL by October 21, 2026, seeking confirmation that no unilateral actions affecting their allocated slots will be taken. A follow-up meeting between the airport operator and the AOC is scheduled for October 28, 2026. Meanwhile, the first phase of the Terminal 1 redevelopment, involving the demolition of the north section of Terminal 1B, remains slated for January 15, 2027.