MIAL drops plan to reduce passenger flight slots, halt cargo operations

Aviation ministry intervened after protest from airlines, cargo operators

Mumbai airport operator, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), has dropped its plan to cut passenger flight slots for the upcoming winter schedule and stop cargo operations from August 16. This comes after strong protests from airlines and cargo operators that led to an intervention by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, sources told Business Standard.

 

With the existing flight schedule now set to continue from Mumbai airport till March next year, it remains unclear when the demolition of Terminal-1 will take place and how many flights will shift to Navi Mumbai airport in the near term.

 

Earlier this year, Adani Group-run MIAL had announced that Terminal-1 would be demolished in one go by November, with some flights shifting to Terminal-2 of the same airport and the rest to the soon-to-be-operational Navi Mumbai airport.

 

The new airport, being developed by MIAL’s subsidiary, is slated to open next month. MIAL and the Ministry of Civil Aviation did not respond to Business Standard’s queries regarding the revised timeline for the demolition or the transition plan for flight operations.

 

In March, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) stated that demolition of Terminal-1 at Mumbai International Airport was necessary for public safety after an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay audit revealed corrosion, seepage, and cracks. 

 

On April 21, MIAL informed airlines and cargo operators that all air cargo operations at Mumbai airport would be suspended from August 16 due to the demolition of Terminal-1 and construction of new taxiways for the secondary runway.

 

Major carriers, especially international ones like Emirates and Etihad, were also told their airport slots would be reduced for the upcoming winter schedule, which would have meant fewer flights operating from Mumbai airport.

 

A day later, on April 22, Navi Mumbai airport reached out to airlines, urging them to take the first-mover advantage and shift operations there. While the new airport listed several facilities, positioning it as an ideal cargo hub, airlines strongly resisted what they saw as a forced suspension of flights at Mumbai.

 

Airlines protested any reduction in winter slots, while cargo operators opposed the complete suspension of freighter operations from August 16. Both groups escalated the issue to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, requesting immediate intervention. International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global airline body, also raised objections, citing a lack of consultation and accusing MIAL of forcing airlines to shift to the Navi Mumbai airport without adequate justification.

 

These objections led to what sources described as a “strong nudge” from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, urging MIAL to ensure operational stability.

 

In response, MIAL convened its first Slot Coordination Committee meeting on May 9, where it informed stakeholders that passenger flights -- including several international services -- would continue as scheduled from Mumbai and that cargo operations would not be suspended. This marked a full reversal from its earlier communications in April to airlines and air cargo operators. The decision not to move a significant number of flights from Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai airport this year is expected to impact network planning and revenue strategies for both airports, sources stated. 

Story so far 

March 2025: AERA deems Terminal 1 demolition necessary for public safety after an IIT audit

April 21, 2025: MIAL informs airlines of cargo suspension from August 16 due to T1 demolition

April 22, 2025: Navi Mumbai airport urges airlines to shift operations there for a first-mover advantage

May 9, 2025: MIAL convenes first Slot Coordination Committee meeting, announces passenger flights and cargo operations would continue as scheduled