MUMBAI — Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has finalized the international slot allocations for the Summer 2027 schedule, according to industry sources. Under the new allocation plan, slots have been granted to 38 overseas carriers for the schedule beginning in March 2027.
However, the transition plan has impacted 12 international airlines, which have not been allocated slots at the primary Mumbai airport for the upcoming summer schedule. These carriers currently operate approximately 16 daily departures across 14 destinations.
Sources indicate that these affected airlines may operate their services from the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). Airport operators have noted that this adjustment is designed to avoid impacting roughly 91 percent of the existing traffic capacity at Mumbai airport.
The slot finalization follows earlier industry resistance. International airlines had previously raised concerns and opposed the airport operator's initial proposal to shift international flights to Navi Mumbai, citing planned renovation work at Mumbai airport's Terminal 1 starting early next year. While MIAL initially considered implementing a partial shift of international operations by October 25, the deadline was subsequently deferred to March 2027 following feedback from foreign carriers.
Despite the consultations, sources at the Airport Operators' Committee (AOC) have raised objections, claiming that MIAL proceeded with a unilateral decision on slot distributions without adhering to guidelines set by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), which oversees both the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports, did not issue a comment regarding the AOC's claims. Meanwhile, domestic carriers including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air have separately announced plans, alongside AAHL, to transition their own international operations to NMIA in a phased manner over the coming months.
"The restructuring of airport slots and the integration of Navi Mumbai International Airport mark a critical phase for aviation infrastructure management in the region. Balancing capacity constraints, infrastructure upgrades, and airline concerns requires careful coordination between operators and carriers. For businesses and logistics stakeholders, navigating these operational shifts and phased transitions effectively will be essential as regional aviation capacity expands." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
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