As the commercial launch of Navi Mumbai Airport approaches in March 2025, Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL) encounters reluctance from major airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, to shift operations from the existing Mumbai airport. Despite Adani Enterprises’ attempts to entice carriers with prime slots a year ago, both airlines have displayed hesitancy in making the move.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, speaking to media, emphasised the continued relevance of the existing Mumbai airport even with the introduction of the new facility. Elbers stated, “How precisely we orchestrate one another will have to be planned going forward.” This reluctance poses a challenge for AAHL, raising questions about the seamless transition of major carriers. AAHL acknowledges ongoing discussions with multiple airlines on the matter but concedes that nothing concrete has materialised at this stage. “We will be able to give clarity on this when there is something concrete and agreements are signed,” stated Adani Airport Holdings to FE.
The Navi Mumbai airport, with a staggering investment of ₹19,600 crore, is set to launch its first flight by the end of FY25, with an initial capacity expansion to accommodate 20 million passengers in Phase 1. The ambitious project aims to alleviate congestion at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), which boasts an annual capacity of 55 million passengers. However, the challenge lies in convincing major carriers to make the shift and embrace the new facility. The existing Mumbai airport is expected to serve its purpose until the Navi Mumbai airport gains momentum. While the Navi Mumbai airport will have a road connection to Mumbai, the lack of sufficient rail connectivity, especially via the Central Railway’s Harbour line, raises concerns. The proposed 40-kilometre metro line connecting Mumbai’s airport with Navi Mumbai’s airport has yet to commence construction.
