Stories
Mumbai Airport Showdown: Adani and Airlines Clash Over T1 Redevelopment
- •Mumbai International Airport wants airlines to submit a collective plan to reduce traffic at T2 and facilitate the redevelopment of Terminal 1.
- •The Airline Operators Committee is seeking capacity data, structural safety reports and a review of alternatives to the proposed 33 percent cut in international departure slots.
- •The Ministry of Civil Aviation previously put on hold the proposed discontinuation of 265 weekly international departure slots at T2.
- •Adani Airports states that accommodating displaced passengers from T1 requires a temporary reduction of five million passengers at T2.
- •Airlines maintain that the proposed slot reduction was never discussed or agreed upon and are demanding operational transparency and alternatives.
Key Questions Answered
The meeting addresses a dispute over Adani-operated MIAL's proposal to temporarily cut 265 weekly international departure slots at Terminal 2 to relocate about five million passengers displaced by the upcoming redevelopment of Terminal 1. While the operator wants airlines to submit a collective traffic-reduction plan, the Airline Operators Committee is seeking clarity on capacity data, structural safety reports, and alternatives.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation intervened on October 6, 2026, putting MIAL's plan to discontinue 265 weekly international departure slots on hold. Chaired by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, the ministry directed the airport operator to collaborate with stakeholders and formulate an acceptable transition plan before proceeding.
The AOC proposed six agenda items, including month-wise capacity data for Terminals 1 and 2 for 2026, a detailed T1 redevelopment plan with phase-wise execution, and independent structural safety reports. They also requested an explanation for the 33% international slot reduction and a review of alternatives such as temporary passenger-processing facilities.
