Mumbai Airport is going to see a big change in the coming days. There are plans to renovate the city’s oldest Terminal 1 (T1). The company running the airport has made a new plan to complete this big task. Under this, preparations are being made to send 265 international flights from Mumbai’s Terminal 2 (T2) to Navi Mumbai International Airport from October 25. Indeed, after the closure of T1, the domestic flights there have to be brought to T2, for which it has become very necessary to free up space there. Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports are managed by Adani Airports.
Why is it necessary to replace old buildings?
Terminal 1 of Mumbai Airport is almost 60 years old. Inbound and outbound flights within the country are operated from here. Being an old building, it has become necessary to modify it keeping in view the safety and present day requirements. From January 2027, this terminal will be closed in several stages and completely rebuilt.
When work begins on T1, around five million domestic passengers traveling each year will have to travel elsewhere. So, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) decided to bring these domestic flights to T2. Now T2 is already very crowded. To reduce this pressure, it is said that around one-third of international flights will be diverted to Navi Mumbai from there. The airport management says the change is temporary. It will affect only 9 percent of the total flights. When T1 is completed, 33 percent more passengers will be able to travel here easily than before.
The real problem with airlines to Navi Mumbai
Airlines are not against the construction of a new T1. He says work must be done, but suddenly shifting flights is not that easy. Taking any international flight from one place to another is not just about selling tickets. This will require dozens of new arrangements for pilots, crews, food delivery teams, baggage handling and technical testing.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says the decision is being taken without proper consultation with the airlines. Airlines argue that their winter tickets are already sold out. In such a situation, it will be very difficult to change everything from October. Apart from this, operating from two different airports in the same city will also increase the cost of the companies. Stéphane Gumuselli of Air France-KLM says having separate teams in the two locations will complicate work management. Apart from this, the airlines also have questions regarding the means of reaching Navi Mumbai for the passengers.
Which companies will be most affected?
About 46 domestic and foreign airlines are affected by this decision. The biggest impact is seen on Indigo. Out of 224 international flights of IndiGo, 74 flights can go to Navi Mumbai. After this, 33 out of 100 Air India flights will be affected. This will also affect 11 flights of Akasa Air and 7 flights of Air India Express.
Talking about foreign companies, 10 flights each of major airlines like Emirates and Etihad are coming under this range. Airlines have asked the airport on what basis the decision to reduce flights by one-third was taken. On the other hand, MIAL says that they are talking to airlines about this from 2020. Many companies did not submit their plans on time and also did not participate in the meeting.
What is the plan to save passengers’ pockets?
There is also concern about passenger tickets. User fees at Navi Mumbai airport are higher than at Mumbai airport, which means that flying from there can be a bit more expensive. To make up the difference, Adani Airports has said that it will provide cash vouchers to passengers, so that there is no additional burden on people’s pockets.
MIAL has given all the airlines till 4 pm on 6th October to select their preferred slots. The company made it clear that if the airlines do not choose the slots themselves, the airport will decide according to its capacity. Currently, both the parties are working together to find a way so that passengers do not face any problem and Mumbai can get a better and modern airport soon.
