IATA Opposes Forced Relocation of International Flights to Navi Mumbai

The aviation industry is currently debating the future of international travel in Maharashtra, specifically regarding why Navi Mumbai is being positioned as a secondary hub. On September 9, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents global carriers, formally communicated its opposition to the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding a proposal from the Adani-led Mumbai International Airport (MIAL).

The proposed shift to Navi Mumbai

The contested proposal mandates that foreign airlines relocate approximately one-third of their passenger and cargo operations from Terminal 2 at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This transition is currently scheduled to commence on October 1, 2026. The IATA has explicitly stated its disapproval of this "forced relocation," arguing that the plan lacks the necessary collaborative consultation required for such a significant operational change.

According to the proposal, the airport operator intends to reduce the number of international departure slots at Terminal 2 by 265 per week, starting from October 26, 2026. This reduction represents roughly 34% of the existing 770 weekly international departure slots. The impact of this decision would be widespread, affecting 46 different carriers. Among those facing significant slot cuts are IndiGo, which would see a reduction of 74 slots, Air India with 33, and both Emirates and Etihad Airways, which would each lose 10 slots.

The IATA opposes a plan to force international airlines to move operations to Navi Mumbai airport.

Why it matters

The proposed shift creates significant uncertainty for international carriers and travelers alike. By mandating a move of this scale, the airport operator is effectively reconfiguring the connectivity landscape for South Asia’s busiest travel corridor.

For passengers and airlines, this change raises concerns regarding operational readiness and the logistical challenges of splitting international traffic between two separate airport facilities. The IATA’s intervention highlights the friction between infrastructure expansion goals and the operational requirements of the global airline community.