Ministry of Civil Aviation Intervenes in Mumbai Airport Slot Dispute

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has scheduled a meeting for October 6 to resolve a conflict between Adani Airport Holdings Limited and 46 airlines over flight capacity at Mumbai airport. Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) plans to temporarily discontinue 265 of 770 weekly international departure slots at Terminal 2 starting October 25, 2026.

MIAL intends to shift this capacity to the Adani-run Navi Mumbai International Airport to accommodate domestic traffic displaced by the redevelopment of Terminal 1, which begins in January 2027. The Airline Operators Committee-Mumbai and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have rejected the move as arbitrary, noting that winter schedules were locked in June 2026. Opponents cite poor passenger connectivity and the need for new ground handling and catering contracts at the Navi Mumbai site.

Adani Airport Holdings CEO Arun Bansal defended the plan, stating that consultations have occurred since 2020 and that passenger safety must remain paramount. To incentivize the move, Navi Mumbai is offering a 100 percent landing fee discount for new international flights and expanding shuttle services. However, cargo operators like Challenge Group have already suspended freighter services at Navi Mumbai due to manpower shortages and infrastructure strains.