Mumbai Airport Slots Row: What It Means for Gulf Flyers

The Mumbai airport slots row is a fight over where Gulf-bound flights will land from next summer. Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), run by the Adani Group, wants to move flights to 14 international destinations to Navi Mumbai from the Northern Summer 2027 schedule, which begins in late March. Foreign airlines say they were not consulted, according to Outlook India.

What MIAL has decided

MIAL declined historical slots that some foreign carriers had asked for. In an October 30 letter to the ministry, it proposed that airlines first submit voluntary relocation plans. If they do not, all flights to the listed destinations would move.

The airport links the plan to redevelopment of the northern section of Terminal 1B, starting January 2027. It also cites a proposed temporary capacity cut of about 5 million passengers a year. As a result, it wants to reduce international operations at Terminal 2 to make room for displaced domestic passengers.

The 14 destinations affected

The list covers Bahrain, Dammam, Dhaka, Doha, Fujairah, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait City, Madinah, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Sharjah. Notably, Madinah and Jeddah matter for Umrah and Hajj travellers.

Per Cirium’s November 2026 schedule, 16 airlines run 205 weekly departures to these places. IndiGo, the Air India Group and Akasa Air have already announced plans to shift some services. The other 12 foreign airlines operate 102 weekly departures.

Why the Mumbai airport slots row is contested

The Airline Operators Committee wrote to the ministry and asked whether the government had approved the move. It cited the 2013 ministry slot guidelines and IATA’s global slot guidelines. Gulf carriers named in reports include Gulf Air, Saudia, Qatar Airways, Oman Air and Air Arabia.

Airlines warn that splitting services between two airports could disrupt connecting trips and codeshare links. Meanwhile, MIAL argues that gathering these flights at one airport would cut split routes and onward-connection problems. It also says historical slots will be fully restored once the Terminal 2 expansion is done.

This is not the first clash. On October 6, the ministry asked MIAL to defer an earlier plan to move 265 of its 770 weekly international departures and to consult airlines first.

What it means for flyers

For now, your existing booking is safe. The change applies from the summer 2027 schedule, so it matters most if you are planning travel after late March. Because the dispute is unresolved, schedules could still change.

If you are booking a Gulf trip for next April or later, check which airport the ticket lists before paying. Navi Mumbai is a long drive from south Mumbai, so ground travel time may change. Therefore, allow extra time and re-check the airport on your ticket closer to departure. We covered one such move earlier in Akasa Air’s Navi Mumbai shift for Jeddah flights.

Also watch your inbox for any schedule-change notice from the airline, because the airport on your ticket could change.

FAQ

Will my Mumbai to Gulf flight move to Navi Mumbai?

Only flights on the Northern Summer 2027 schedule, from late March, are affected. Tickets for travel before then should not change.

Which airports are involved?

The plan moves flights from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Navi Mumbai for 14 listed destinations. Terminal 1B redevelopment starts in January 2027.

Has the government approved the move?

Not yet. The civil aviation ministry is examining the complaint and will seek a response from Adani Airport Holdings before it decides.