Why are international airlines being asked to shift to Navi Mumbai? | Explained

What has triggered the dispute between airport operator Adani Group and foreign carriers? How has Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stepped in to challenge the proposed shift?

Published - November 14, 2026 09:22 am IST

A view of the Navi Mumbai International Airport. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu

The story so far: On September 9, the airline’s body representing international carriers, the International Air Transport Association, wrote to the Ministry of Civil Aviation objecting to a proposal from Adani’s Mumbai International Airport requiring foreign airlines to shift approximately one-third of their passenger and cargo movements from Mumbai’s Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) from October 1, 2026.

IATA said it was opposed to “forced relocation” and the proposal had not been developed through collaborative consultation. The proposal included slashing 265 of Terminal 2’s 770 weekly international departure slots from October 26. The proposed reduction, equivalent to about 34% of international departure slots, would affect 46 carriers. IndiGo faced 74 slot cuts, Air India 33, and Emirates and Etihad Airways 10 each.

Published - November 14, 2026 09:22 am IST

The Hindu Explains / India / Mumbai / Maharashtra

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