Mumbai Airport Flight Shift Delayed as Airlines and Adani Negotiate

The deadline for transferring flight operations from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has been extended beyond the original October 26 target, according to sources close to the matter. The extension comes as part of ongoing negotiations between airline operators and Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), the company managing the airport.

A high-level meeting chaired by the Civil Aviation Secretary brought together representatives from AAHL, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which includes major carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet. The airlines expressed concerns over the October 26 deadline, citing that many passengers had already booked tickets departing from Mumbai Airport for dates shortly after that deadline.

Given these concerns, officials are considering a revised timeline for the transition, though no new specific date has been announced yet. Alongside the extension, additional incentives are being discussed to encourage airlines to begin operations at the Navi Mumbai facility. These incentives aim to ease the transition and make the new airport a more attractive choice for carriers.

One significant topic during the discussions was the user development fee (UDF) charged at the airports. Currently, Navi Mumbai Airport has a higher UDF compared to Mumbai Airport. Officials contemplated equalizing the fee at both locations to prevent financial disadvantages for passengers flying out of Navi Mumbai. While a final decision on a uniform UDF is still pending, a temporary measure involving vouchers to reimburse passengers for any extra UDF paid at Navi Mumbai was proposed.

Adani Airports representatives emphasized that the move to Navi Mumbai is essential to handle the increasing passenger capacity. They pointed out that Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 (T1) is in need of redevelopment, making the shift necessary to maintain efficiency and service quality. The phased renovation of Terminal 1 is expected to coincide with the gradual transfer of flights to NMIA, ensuring that international travelers—estimated at five million annually—are accommodated without disruption.

Government insiders revealed that airlines and the airport operator have been asked to present a detailed transition plan by October 20. This plan will outline how operations will be shifted to NMIA, including schedules and passenger management strategies. Officials are also considering a slight delay from the original deadline to allow for a smoother handover.

Further consultations have been scheduled to finalize the transition strategy. The next meeting is set for October 13, followed by another on or before October 20. These discussions will focus on balancing capacity demands, passenger convenience, and infrastructure readiness.

AAHL has communicated its readiness to manage up to five million international passengers annually at the Navi Mumbai Airport. The company highlighted the comprehensive connectivity options, in-flight catering services, hotel accommodations, lounges, and other amenities available at the new airport, aiming to provide a full-service experience to airlines and travelers alike.

The shift of operations from Mumbai Airport to Navi Mumbai Airport reflects a broader effort to alleviate congestion at one of India’s busiest aviation hubs. With growing passenger numbers and limited space at CSMIA, the development of NMIA offers an opportunity to expand capacity and improve the overall travel experience in the Mumbai metropolitan region.