Mumbai airport may cut 265 weekly international flights from October 25 for Terminal 1 redevelopment
Mumbai International Airport Ltd has told 46 airlines that international services will be trimmed from October 25 to free Terminal 2 facilities for domestic carriers.
Passengers flying abroad from Mumbai airport may face disruption. Because of the redevelopment of Terminal 1, a plan is in place to suspend about 265 international flights a week for some time. The change is likely to take effect from October 25, and those travelling in late October could be affected.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which runs the airport, has told 46 airlines that international flights will be cut. About 770 international flights a week currently operate from Terminal 2. Under the proposal, 265 of these may be reduced for some time. Terminal 1 is used mostly for domestic flights, while international flights operate from Terminal 2.
The plan is that, once some international slots are reduced, the vacant facilities at Terminal 2 will be handed to domestic airlines. This is being done for the convenience of passengers shifting from Terminal 1. According to MIAL, the change is aimed at handling about 50 lakh domestic passengers a year. Check-in counters, baggage belts and boarding gates will go to domestic airlines.
Several major airlines may be hit. IndiGo will be affected on 74 of its 224 weekly international flights from Mumbai. Air India plans to cut 33 of its 100 weekly international services. Akasa Air may lose 11 weekly international flights, Air India Express seven and SpiceJet five. Etihad Airways and Emirates are also reported to be affected on 10 weekly services each.
Meanwhile, there are differences between the airlines and the airport operator over shifting international flights from Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai airport. The airlines have raised concerns over several practical problems, including demand and connectivity. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has asked the civil aviation ministry to intervene.
IATA says a change of this scale requires a clear plan agreed with all stakeholders, including airlines. Redevelopment work on Terminal 1 is due to begin in January 2027. Further changes to flights between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports are therefore expected in the coming months.
