Adani Airports Postpones Mumbai International Flight Shift
The relocation of international flights from Mumbai's main airport to Navi Mumbai, originally set for 25 October, has been deferred until March 2027 following airline operational concerns.
Postponement of Flight Relocation
Adani Airports has announced a delay in the planned transfer of international flight operations from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
The move, initially scheduled for 25 October 2026 to coincide with the winter flight schedule, will now take place in March 2027, aligning with the start of the next summer schedule.
This decision by Adani Airports, which operates both facilities, comes after extensive discussions with airlines that raised concerns regarding the operational impact of ongoing renovations at CSMIA's Terminal 1 (T1).
Airline Concerns and Industry Dialogue
The postponement follows objections from operating airlines, who were previously asked to either reduce their international flights from Mumbai by 33 per cent or redirect them to Navi Mumbai by 25 October.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), also managed by Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL), had notified 46 carriers to temporarily suspend 265 weekly international services from Terminal 2 (T2) starting 25 October.
High-level discussions occurred on 13 October 2026 between AAHL leadership, including Jeet Adani and Arun Bansal, and representatives of the Airline Operators' Committee (AOC). A MIAL spokesperson confirmed assurances were given to minimise disruption and respect historical slot allocations, with no disturbances planned for the upcoming winter schedule.
Strategic Planning for Redevelopment
The deferral allows for a more structured approach to the redevelopment of CSMIA's Terminal 1, which primarily handles domestic operations. While T2 manages international flights, the renovation of T1 involves demolishing its north section, impacting overall airport capacity.
A specialised joint working group will now formulate a strategic plan over the next two weeks to ensure a smooth transition and redevelopment process.
Further key meetings are scheduled: one on 20 October 2026, to be chaired by the Civil Aviation Secretary, will finalise the transition plan's details, followed by another meeting on 28 October 2026 between AAHL executives and airline representatives to address any remaining issues. Airlines have requested a comprehensive plan for the T1 renovation.
Implications for Travellers and Operators in Asia
For international travellers and airlines operating to and from Mumbai, this postponement means that existing flight arrangements at CSMIA's Terminal 2 will remain unchanged throughout the upcoming winter season. The delay provides certainty for carriers, many of which are Asian, avoiding immediate operational adjustments or slot changes.
Mumbai is a critical hub connecting India to destinations across Asia and the world, and maintaining stability during the busy winter schedule is vital for passenger flows and airline networks.
MIAL has also committed to providing full support to any airline wishing to voluntarily shift operations to Navi Mumbai ahead of the mandated March 2027 timeline, offering flexibility for strategic planning within the Asian aviation sector.
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