Owing to the Mumbai Airport T1 demolition, the operator of the airport proposed that around one-third of the international flight operations would be moved from T2 to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The initial proposition was announced in late August. Recently, however, airlines are pushing back against this move. If reports are to go by, the proposal has been formally rejected by the airlines. This latest pushback by airlines marks a new problem in the dispute over Mumbai airport.
Mumbai Airport T1 Demolition To Start From Jan 15
In a letter to Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, the Chief Airport Officer of MIAL, Vishnu Mohan Jha, said that the demolition was scheduled to start from January 1, 2027. In the letter, he stated that phase 1 of the redevelopment plan will be limited to just section 1-B of the terminal.
This will be done to ensure minimal impact on airline operations. As of now, CSMIA operates around 950 flights per day and has a capacity of more than 50 million passengers. T1 has a capacity of 15 million passengers, and T2 has a capacity of 40 million passengers.
Also Read: Mumbai Airport Named Asia-Pacific’s Best For Departures In Major Regional Ranking
One-Third Of International Traffic To Be Moved To NMIA
As part of the plan, a significant chunk of air traffic will be diverted to T2 of CSMIA starting October 25. Additionally, one-third of the international air traffic will be moved to the newly unveiled Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) from October 1.
The time given will allow flights to plan their move accordingly. Part of the relocation of air traffic has already commenced. From August 1, Akasa Air moved its domestic operations from T1 to T2.
Airlines Push Back Against The Move
As per sources cited in the CNBC TV18 report, airlines have questioned the consultation process by MIAL. They have raised objections and said that adequate consultation about the move was not given. Apart from the objections by the airlines, many flyers have also raised objections about this move. The NMIA is significantly disconnected from the rest of Mumbai, and it makes the airport quite inaccessible to many. A number of people on the internet have also alleged that the move is strategic, designed to force flyers to travel via NMIA. Some commenters on social media have also alleged that the airport is a mere white elephant project that the authorities are in a desperate bid to put to use.
Summing Up
The demolition of T1 is bound to be a bittersweet moment for Mumbaikars. The terminal is close to 80 years old, and many are nostalgic about it. The large-scale repairs required for the airport are also necessary. It is hoped that the transition of flights from T1 to T2 and the NMIA.
