The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed domestic airlines and airport operators to submit a concrete operational plan for shifting flights to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), as the phased redevelopment of Terminal 1 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai gains momentum. The directive followed a high-level meeting convened by the Civil Aviation Secretary on 6 October 2026, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Key Developments from the Meeting

The meeting brought together representatives from Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), and multiple domestic carriers. According to sources, the Civil Aviation Secretary held detailed, nearly 90-minute discussions with all stakeholders and asked them to submit a firm operational roadmap.

Domestic carriers including IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air reportedly informed the ministry that they had already been engaged in transition-related discussions with the airport operator for the past 18 months. The ministry has also reportedly proposed delaying the transition by a few weeks to allow for a smoother migration process.

The Passenger Shift at Stake

The proposed transition involves moving approximately 5 million international passengers annually from CSMIA to NMIA. AAHL presented its preparedness plans for handling this volume, highlighting the airport's readiness across infrastructure and passenger-facing amenities — including enhanced road connectivity, inflight catering services, hotels, lounges, and other support facilities.

This is among the most significant civil aviation transitions India has seen in recent years, effectively redistributing a substantial portion of Mumbai's international traffic to a brand-new facility across the harbour. The shift is being undertaken in tandem with the planned redevelopment of Terminal 1 at CSMIA, which handles a sizeable share of domestic operations.

What the Government Said

'The next consultation meeting with the airlines and the airport operator with the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation will be convened on October 13 to firm up the transition plan for shifting 5 million international passengers to Navi Mumbai from Mumbai airport,' sources stated. A second follow-up is expected around October 20 to finalise the broader roadmap.

Sources described the discussions as 'constructive', with all stakeholders reiterating their commitment to a seamless transition that preserves passenger convenience and operational efficiency.

What Happens Next

The 13 October meeting will be critical for firming up timelines, while the 20 October session is expected to lock in the final transition plan. With AAHL having already demonstrated infrastructure readiness and airlines acknowledging 18 months of preparatory talks, the primary outstanding variable is the precise schedule — and whether the ministry's proposed delay of a few weeks will be formally endorsed. The decisions taken over the next two consultations will directly shape the operational reality for millions of Mumbai-bound international travellers.