Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has intervened in a contentious dispute, stating that international flights will not be shifted from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This declaration comes amid plans by the Mumbai airport operator to redistribute flights ahead of a major redevelopment of CSMIA's Terminal 1 (T1).
CM Fadnavis Proposes Alternative Redevelopment Plan
Chief Minister Fadnavis has formally written to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, presenting an alternative strategy for T1's redevelopment. His proposal suggests developing a replacement section, Terminal 1B, first. Once completed, operations from the existing Terminal 1A would be moved to 1B, allowing for the demolition and reconstruction of the original 1A without a complete shutdown or loss of capacity.
This approach directly counters the existing plan by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), which holds a 74% stake in Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL). MIAL had proposed shifting international flights connecting Mumbai with 14 destinations, including Bahrain, Doha, and Kathmandu, to NMIA starting next summer. The Airports Authority of India holds the remaining 26% stake in MIAL.
Airlines and IATA Resist Proposed Relocation
The proposed relocation has met significant resistance from airlines and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). MIAL had informed airlines about its inability to accommodate requested Summer 2027 slots, necessitating a temporary reduction in international operations at Terminal 2 (T2) to handle passengers displaced by T1's initial demolition phase. IATA has advocated for a phased redevelopment approach to avoid a substantial loss of operational capacity.
Under the original plan, the entire 15-million-passenger-per-annum T1 was slated for demolition by March 2028, with reconstruction commencing thereafter. Fadnavis's intervention aims to ensure that new infrastructure is in place before existing facilities are dismantled, preventing disruptions.
Addressing Ageing Infrastructure and Future Capacity
The redevelopment of Terminal 1, originally commissioned in 1964, is crucial for addressing its structural and safety concerns. The new terminal is projected to increase CSMIA's annual passenger handling capacity from 15 million to 20 million.
The proposed flight redistribution was expected to affect approximately 5 million passengers annually, accounting for about 9% of CSMIA's total traffic. Major international carriers like Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, and British Airways are expected to continue operating from T2. While domestic airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air have indicated plans to shift some services to NMIA, the Chief Minister's stance ensures that international operations primarily remain at CSMIA during this critical transition period.