Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) finds itself at the centre of a growing international aviation standoff after strongly refuting accusations made by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regarding recent changes in cargo operations and historic slot allocations.
The airport’s private operator, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), denied allegations that the slot rationalisation move was designed to divert airline traffic to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), also under the Adani Group’s purview.In a sharply worded clarification issued on Thursday, MIAL defended its actions, asserting that the slot reductions and temporary shifts in cargo operations were part of a regulator-backed, consultative infrastructure development strategy. The decision, it emphasised, had been governed by a formal review process undertaken by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) under its Fourth Control Period, including extensive stakeholder consultations.
also read :
MIAL’s response comes in the wake of IATA’s global statement earlier this week, where it raised concerns over fairness and transparency. John Middleton, IATA’s Head of Worldwide Airport Slots, accused the airport operator of attempting to indirectly push airlines toward its Navi Mumbai facility, calling the move a threat to the airport’s reputation. In response, MIAL asserted that such claims were “unsubstantiated and misleading,” and called for constructive collaboration instead of public confrontation.At the heart of this controversy is the challenge of balancing infrastructural modernisation with operational continuity in one of India’s busiest urban aviation hubs. MIAL clarified that ongoing works—including the construction of a parallel taxiway for Runway 14/32—necessitate temporary logistical adjustments, including the relocation of cargo facilities.
These changes, it stated, were disclosed during stakeholder meetings and were reflected in public consultation papers issued by AERA as recently as March 2025.
The operator reiterated that all changes have been aligned with the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s strategic vision and were based on long-term planning to future-proof capacity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. It also noted that the AUCC meeting in March 2024, attended by airlines, industry bodies, and IATA itself, had presented its five-year plan in full detail. MIAL reaffirmed that airlines retain complete autonomy over their network planning and are under no obligation to move operations to Navi Mumbai.Industry experts, meanwhile, view the conflict as a reflection of larger concerns over the growing dominance of private airport operators and the impact on airline autonomy.
The developments also raise critical questions about the sustainability of India’s aviation infrastructure—particularly as it expands rapidly to meet rising air traffic demands. While the need for decongestion and future-ready systems is pressing, transparency and equitable access to facilities remain equally critical.As India positions itself to become a global aviation hub, disputes such as this underline the importance of regulatory oversight, ethical planning, and trust between stakeholders. With two major international airports poised to serve the same metropolitan region, how these transitions are managed could set a precedent for aviation infrastructure growth across the country.Whether or not IATA’s concerns will gain regulatory traction remains to be seen, but the episode has undoubtedly intensified scrutiny over slot allocations, cargo logistics, and the broader implications of privatised airport management in India’s evolving urban landscape.
also read :
Mumbai airport defends cargo flight changes
