Mumbai Airport Clarifies Stance on Slot Cuts and Cargo Flights
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has categorically denied the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) assertions that recent operational changes—including the halting of cargo flights and reduction of passenger flight slots—are strategic moves to redirect airlines to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
MIAL maintains that these adjustments are part of a transparent, regulator-driven process aimed at infrastructure upgrades to enhance operational efficiency and safety. MIAL expressed disappointment over IATA’s claims, emphasizing that the recent changes have followed a consultative and regulator-driven process. “The adjustments to cargo operations and slot allocations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) have been implemented in compliance with the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) guidelines as part of the Fourth Control Period review,” the statement read.
MIAL further clarified that the decision to halt cargo flights, effective August 16, 2025, is due to extensive infrastructure upgrades, including the construction of a new taxiway to enhance runway capacity. These upgrades are necessary to address severe capacity constraints arising from the airport’s single operating runway system and limited available land. The temporary suspension of cargo operations is expected to free up space for passenger aircraft operations, thereby improving overall efficiency. The upcoming NMIA, set to commence operations in late May 2025, is being developed to alleviate congestion at CSMIA and serve as a secondary airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. NMIA’s master plan includes provisions for cargo operations, with 29 hectares designated for cargo facilities, including ten freighter stands and an automated terminal with an annual handling capacity of 2.6 million metric tonnes. MIAL asserts that the development of NMIA is a nationally significant infrastructure project, envisioned in 1997 and under development since 2018, with extensive consultations involving airlines and IATA.
Contrary to IATA’s allegations, MIAL asserts that airlines have full autonomy over network planning and that there has been no attempt, either direct or indirect, to steer traffic from CSMIA to NMIA. MIAL has actively engaged with stakeholders at every stage of the process, including an Airport User Consultative Committee (AUCC) meeting held on March 13, 2024, where it outlined its five-year development plan, including proposed airside improvements. Additionally, AERA conducted a public hearing on March 25, 2024, attended by major stakeholders, including airlines, cargo operators, industry associations, and IATA. MIAL also highlighted that the infrastructure developments currently underway, such as the construction of a parallel taxiway for Runway 14/32, require temporary relocation of certain cargo facilities. These activities were disclosed and discussed during the AERA consultation process and are part of the Master Plan submitted to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), following inputs from multiple stakeholders.
In response to IATA’s concerns, MIAL reiterated its commitment to maintaining fair and equitable coordination with all stakeholders and respecting international best practices, including the guidelines issued by the Worldwide Airport Slot Board (WASB). The “operational rebalancing” underway is a strategic step aligned with the long-term growth of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s aviation infrastructure to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and future-proof capacity for both passengers and cargo, in line with India’s national development objectives.
MIAL concluded its statement by urging IATA to avoid unsubstantiated assertions and, instead, collaborate constructively to support India’s aviation ecosystem. “We urge IATA to avoid unsubstantiated assertions and, instead, collaborate with us constructively to support India’s aviation ecosystem,” the statement emphasized.