Foreign airlines challenge Mumbai airport slots after Adani blocks 12 carriers

Foreign airlines appeal to ministry

Twelve foreign airlines, almost all from the Gulf and West Asia, asked the civil aviation ministry to undo Mumbai airport’s refusal of take-off and landing slots next summer.

“Kindly advise MIAL to reconsider its decision and restore all the historical slots of the affected Airlines for NS-27 (Northern Summer)”

MIAL blocks 12 airlines' slots

Mumbai International Airport Ltd found room for 38 of 50 international airlines but none for the other 12, which fly 112 weekly departures.

12 airlines affected

The 12 airlines include Oman Air, Gulf Air, Air Arabia, Kuwait Airways, and Qatar Airways, serving 14 destinations including Bahrain and Doha.

MIAL claims capacity drop

MIAL says capacity will drop by five million passengers yearly from summer 2027, requiring airlines to shift operations temporarily.

Airlines question capacity reduction

Airlines argue Terminal 1 handles fewer than ten million passengers annually, significantly below its installed capacity of fifteen million.

MIAL's capacity justification

MIAL claims Terminal 1 handled 55 million passengers in FY26, including 38 million domestic and 17 million international flights.

Airlines demand slot restoration

The Airline Operators Committee wants MIAL to restore historical slots for NS-27, the northern summer 2027 schedule starting April.

MIAL's expansion timeline

MIAL promised to restore old slots once Terminal 2’s expansion is complete after temporarily moving flights to Navi Mumbai.

Foreign airlines resist shift

Foreign airlines continue resisting the shift to Navi Mumbai, citing distance, connectivity concerns, and disruption to established operations.