Mumbai’s airport operator proposes relocating some international flights from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) during Terminal 1 redevelopment. The plan would involve destination-based shifting of services to 14 identified international destinations starting next summer, with international airlines receiving a temporary option to operate from NMIA while CSMIA’s Terminal 1 is worked on.
Multiple outlets report that foreign carriers have proposed or supported a destination-based transfer for selected routes, but that they resist any requirement they say is “unilateral” or disruptive. Indian carriers including IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air are also reported as agreeing to move some services. Outlets cite congestion-relief and infrastructure concerns at the ageing terminal as the motivation, including references to structural audit findings and staged demolition and redevelopment.
Several reports frame the dispute around how capacity and connectivity will be affected, with airlines raising concerns about competition and operational practicality. A key point of emphasis varies by outlet: some focus on the proposal and government submission, while others highlight airline opposition and specific operational timelines such as slot suspensions and individual route moves.
