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MIAL insists on the plan to shift flights to Summer 2027, despite airline objections
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Business Standard
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MIAL insists on the plan to shift flights to Summer 2027, despite airline objections

Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), controlled by Adani Group, reiterated on Monday that airlines must independently decide whether to shift their flights to Navi Mumbai airport, temporarily suspend operations in Mumbai, or seek other options within the schedule for Summer 2027.

In its communication to the Airline Operators Committee (AOC), which represents airlines operating at Mumbai airport, MIAL emphasized again that during the summer period of 2027, Mumbai airport will serve approximately 5 million fewer passengers annually due to the closure of Terminal 1 for reconstruction. Both airports, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, are managed by Adani Group.

MIAL's response to the AOC followed two days after the committee sent a letter to MIAL rejecting any unilateral redistribution of traffic, reduction of slots, or relocation of international operations without proper procedure. The AOC stated that airlines did not agree to transfer international operations to Navi Mumbai or to any reduction or cancellation of existing slots.

In an email to AOC members on Monday, MIAL referred to a meeting held on October 13 with airlines, noting that individual carriers have complete freedom in making decisions regarding their plan for the Summer 2027 schedule. MIAL clarified: 'As we explained at the October 13 meeting, the capacity of Mumbai airport should be limited by approximately 5 million passengers per year according to the S27 schedule.'

S27 is a commonly accepted abbreviation in the aviation industry for the Summer 2027 flight schedule. In aviation, the summer schedule is valid from the last Sunday of March to the last Saturday of October, while the winter schedule runs from the last Sunday of October to the last Saturday of March.

Furthermore, MIAL reported that airlines can choose to shift part or all of their operations to Navi Mumbai, temporarily halt activities at Mumbai airport until Terminal 1 resumes operation, or seek alternative locations. The operator added that the decision to participate in consultations with the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC), which coordinates airport operations, remains solely up to each individual airline.

The airport operator also confirmed that it will restore all historical slots at Mumbai airport after the completion of Terminal 1 reconstruction and its commissioning by 2030. A slot is a designated time when an airline can take off or land at the airport.

The dispute began in August when MIAL started discussions about shifting international flights to Navi Mumbai as part of the Terminal 1 reconstruction. Following this, the operator proposed moving 265 out of 770 weekly international flights from Terminal 2 of Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai during the winter schedule, which begins on October 26.

MIAL's plan is linked to the reconstruction of Terminal 1, which is expected to be closed for restoration. The airport operator stated that the capacity of approximately 5 million passengers should be limited at Mumbai airport during Summer 2027, insisting that the reconstruction is necessary to address the issues of Terminal 1's outdated infrastructure.

Airlines questioned the basis for the proposed shift and requested detailed information on terminal capacity, passenger flow, and usage. The AOC also demanded clarification regarding the methodology used to determine the proposed reduction in international operations, stating that airlines cannot be forced to shift or reduce operations without the necessary data, consultation, and regulatory process.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation intervened in the dispute earlier this month. After a meeting on October 6 involving the ministry, MIAL, and Navi Mumbai International Airport, the airport operator was advised to engage with stakeholders to develop a mutually agreed transition plan instead of following its initial proposal.

At the October 13 meeting, MIAL assured airlines that the historical distribution of slots would not be disrupted during the 2026-27 winter schedule. It also announced that a joint working group would be established to develop a plan for implementing the Terminal 1 reconstruction. The next meeting between the airport operator and airlines is scheduled for October 28.

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Emirates reports that Navi Mumbai airport is not ready to accept international flights
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business-standard.com

Emirates reports that Navi Mumbai airport is not ready to accept international flights

Emirates stated that Navi Mumbai airport lacks necessary auxiliary facilities, such as cargo warehouses and catering capabilities. Meanwhile, the operator of Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) assured the airline that international flights will continue to be based in Mumbai at least until the end of March.

Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (West Asia and Indian Ocean) at Emirates Airline, announced on Wednesday that Navi Mumbai International Airport is not ready to handle international flights due to the absence of support facilities like cargo storage and catering services. He added that it would be difficult for airlines to relocate their operations to this airport until it transforms into a fully functional aviation ecosystem.

A few weeks ago, Mumbai International Airport (MIAL), operated by the Adani group, proposed to airlines to shift 265 out of 770 weekly international flights to Navi Mumbai by October 25, as MIAL was planning the reconstruction of Terminal 1 in Mumbai. Airlines strongly opposed this proposal, and the matter was referred to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

On Tuesday, MIAL held a meeting with airlines and guaranteed them that no international flights would be transferred before the end of March. When asked if Emirates plans to move 33 percent of its flights from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai if the airport operator resumes its offer, Ahmad replied to journalists: 'The airport is not ready.'

Clarifying his position, Ahmad pointed to the essential elements required for airlines to operate. He noted that the airport requires a catering facility, such as a cargo storage facility, and other similar elements. In his view, until the airport becomes a fully formed ecosystem, it will be difficult for any airline to move there.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, Emirates conducted a static demonstration of its A380 aircraft at Delhi airport ahead of the launch of the Delhi-Dubai route starting October 26. Speaking to journalists at the event, Ahmad emphasized that Delhi is an important market for the airline, and it will continue to operate four daily flights from Dubai to the city. One flight will be on the A380, and the other three on modernized Boeing 777s. He also stated that the updated aircraft will offer classes of service: first class, business class, premium economy, and economy.

Ahmad stated that Emirates is willing to consider operating in new airports, including Navi Mumbai and Noida, provided that additional flight permissions and seat allocations are obtained under the air service agreement between India and the United Arab Emirates. He specified that the airline is operating at full capacity permitted by existing rights. Although Navi Mumbai may provide access to a new market closer to Pune, Emirates will require additional permission before considering operations there.

Bilateral air service rights are agreements between two states that determine the number of flights and seats that designated airlines can offer, as well as the routes and airports they can serve. These restrictions mean that an airline cannot simply add an unlimited number of flights or start operating from a new airport, even with high passenger traffic. Ahmad mentioned that the quota related to Dubai is about 67,000 seats per week in each direction. Any increase would require an agreement between the two governments.

Ahmad also reported that passenger load factors on Indian destinations initially suffered due to the Middle East conflict but are now recovering and approaching pre-conflict levels. He declined to state the exact load factor figure before the announcement of the airline's half-year results in November. Separately, he noted that Emirates is operating at 96 percent of its global network capacity before the conflict, and passenger traffic has recovered to approximately 93 percent of the pre-conflict level globally.

According to the analytical firm Cirium, Emirates operates 167 flights per week to nine Indian destinations from Dubai. Mumbai has the highest frequency with 35 flights per week, followed by Delhi with 28 flights. Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad have 21 flights per week each, while Kochi has 14, Kolkata has 11, Ahmedabad has 9, and Thiruvananthapuram has 7. The total weekly frequency remains unchanged compared to October 2025.

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