Mumbai airport slots for Summer 2027 finalised as some international flights may shift to Navi Mumbai

Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has completed international slot allocation for the Summer 2027 schedule. Sources said slots were given to 38 overseas airlines. The timetable starts in March 2027. The move comes as some foreign airlines objected to shifting services to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).

Representative image

Sources said the airport held consultations before finalising the plan. Out of 50 international airlines, 38 received slots for Summer 2027. Another 12 airlines did not get slots for the next summer season. Those 12 airlines operate about 16 daily departures to 14 destinations, sources added.

Mumbai airport slots and NMIA shift plan

Sources said the 12 affected airlines may run those services from NMIA instead. They also said this would not affect about 91 per cent of current traffic capacity. The debate is linked to MIAL’s plan to renovate Terminal 1 from early next year. Foreign airlines have opposed moving international flights due to that work.

MIAL had earlier aimed to begin a partial transfer of international operations on October 25. That deadline was later pushed to March 2027. Sources said the change followed concerns raised by several foreign airlines. The objections focused on the transition process and how it would affect operations.

Mumbai airport slots dispute and AOC objections

Sources at the Airport Operators Committee (AOC) alleged the slot decision lacked due process. "This is a totally unilateral decision and MIAL is not adhering to both MOCA and IATA SLOTS guidelines, they said.\" The sources claimed international rules were not followed. The issue has added pressure on the ongoing talks.

Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) did not comment on the slot allocation, sources said. Mumbai airport is run by MIAL. Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports sit under AAHL, according to sources. The slot decision therefore affects planning across both airports for Summer 2027 operations.

Mumbai airport slots and Indian airline moves

Separately, Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air have announced a phased shift. The airlines made the announcement jointly with AAHL, sources said. Their international services are set to move to NMIA in the coming months. The Summer 2027 slot plan now sits alongside these phased changes.

The Summer 2027 schedule is set to start in March 2027, with slots assigned to 38 carriers. Twelve overseas airlines remain without Mumbai airport slots for that season, sources said. Those services may move to NMIA as plans evolve. Stakeholder concerns continue, including objections raised by the AOC and foreign airlines.

With inputs from PTI