Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 11: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has opposed the proposed shifting of international flights from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai airport from next summer, asserting that no flights should be moved out of the city.
Fadnavis has instead proposed a phased redevelopment plan for Terminal 1 (T1) of Mumbai airport, allowing the existing facility to remain operational until its replacement is ready.
Speaking on Tuesday, he said he had written to the airport operator suggesting that Terminal 1B be developed first, following which operations at Terminal 1A could be shifted to the new facility before the existing terminal is demolished.
"I have written to them to first develop Terminal 1B, shift 1A to 1B and then take down the existing 1A terminal," Fadnavis said.
His proposal aims to ensure that the redevelopment is carried out in stages rather than shutting down the entire terminal before construction of its replacement begins.
Sources indicated that the chief minister would need to take up the proposal with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, which is examining the airport operator's capacity-reduction plan.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI), a central government entity, holds a 26 per cent stake in Mumbai airport, while the remaining 74 per cent is owned by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL).
The proposed transfer of some international flights from Mumbai to the newly developed Navi Mumbai airport has faced opposition from airlines.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) informed airlines last month that it planned to reduce international operations at Terminal 2 by around one-third from the Summer 2027 schedule, beginning in March-end. The move is intended to accommodate five million passengers per annum of domestic traffic displaced during the first phase of Terminal 1 redevelopment.
Last week, AAHL informed the ministry of its plan to shift flights connecting Mumbai with 14 international destinations to Navi Mumbai from next summer.
The destinations include Bahrain, Dammam, Dhaka, Doha, Fujairah, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait City, Madinah, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Sharjah.
MIAL has informed airlines that it would not be able to accommodate their requested slots for the Summer 2027 schedule and that a temporary reduction in operations at Terminal 2 would be necessary.
The proposed changes have drawn objections from airlines. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents airlines globally, has urged the ministry to consider a phased redevelopment of Terminal 1, with different sections demolished and reconstructed sequentially to avoid a major reduction in airport capacity.
The existing Terminal 1, which handles 15 million passengers annually, is scheduled to be completely demolished by March 2028, with reconstruction planned thereafter. The new terminal is expected to be ready by December 2030.
Airline sources have expressed concern that completely shutting down Terminal 1 could leave Mumbai airport facing a significant capacity shortage for three years or more.
Fadnavis's proposal seeks to address these concerns by ensuring continuity of airport operations during the redevelopment process and avoiding the proposed transfer of international flights to Navi Mumbai.