Why Airlines Opposed Mumbai’s Plan To Move International Flights To Navi Mumbai?

Mumbai’s plan to shift international flights from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has hit a roadblock after airlines opposed the proposed relocation of 265 weekly departures. Want to know more about it? Read on!

CSMIA Shift Of 295 Flights To Navi Mumbai Airport Paused

Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which operates CSMIA, had proposed transferring 265 of its 770 weekly international departures to NMIA from October 25, 2026. However, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) asked the airport operator to defer the plan and consult airlines on a mutually agreed transition, Business Standard reported. According to reports by India Today, on October 13, MIAL confirmed that existing international flight allocations would remain unchanged throughout the winter schedule, running from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027, Reuters reported. Any subsequent transfers will follow consultations with individual airlines. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for October 28, according to ANI.

The proposed relocation is linked to the redevelopment of Terminal 1 at CSMIA, which currently handles domestic flights. MIAL aims to free up capacity while ageing infrastructure undergoes an overhaul. The north section of Terminal 1B is scheduled for demolition from January 2027. The redevelopment is expected to increase the terminal’s annual capacity by 33%, from 15 million to 20 million passengers.

The proposal covered approximately 34.4% of CSMIA’s weekly international departures. The airport handled 55.5 million passengers in 2025, highlighting the pressure on Mumbai’s aviation infrastructure.

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Why Did Airlines Oppose The Proposal?

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed objections to the aviation ministry, reportedly describing the proposal as a “forced relocation”. Airlines questioned whether NMIA had adequate capacity and operational arrangements to accommodate the additional services. They also flagged disruptions to winter schedules already planned, including potential changes to aircraft rotations, crew arrangements, connecting flights and ground-handling operations.

The disagreement intensified after MIAL initially maintained that it would proceed with the planned reduction in international departures from Terminal 2 on October 25. MoCA subsequently asked the operator to defer the transition and consult stakeholders.

What It Means For Passengers?

For now, international passengers departing from CSMIA should not expect a large-scale shift to Navi Mumbai on October 25. Passengers should continue checking their airline’s official communications for any individual flight changes. The two airports are about 35–45 km apart, depending on the route. Road journeys can take around 60–95 minutes under normal conditions and longer during peak traffic. Taxi fares may also be higher for passengers travelling to NMIA.

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While Navi Mumbai residents could benefit from the additional airport, passengers from South Mumbai and the western suburbs may face longer journeys. The proposed shift remains under discussion, with the October 28 meeting expected to provide further clarity on how both airports will accommodate traffic during CSMIA’s redevelopment.

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Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

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