World · India Bureau
Adani Airports Orders Foreign Carriers to Shift to Navi Mumbai
The chief executive of Adani Airports Holdings has issued a directive to international airlines to relocate operations from Mumbai to the new Navi Mumbai airport or cease flying to the city altogether. The ultimatum takes effect from April.
LSN India ·
Adani Airports Holdings CEO Arun Bansal has directed foreign carriers to shift their operations to Navi Mumbai airport or halt services to the region, effective April 2024. The instruction marks a significant policy shift as the company consolidates operations across its airport infrastructure in the Mumbai metropolitan area.
"We have informed the airlines that they need to vacate the existing facility by April," Bansal said, drawing an analogy to standard property management practices. "After that, the choice of where to operate remains theirs." The statement underscores Adani's intent to transition international traffic to the newly operational Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The directive reflects broader infrastructure consolidation efforts in the Mumbai region, where multiple airport facilities operate under Adani's management. The Navi Mumbai airport, developed as a greenfield project, is positioned as a modern alternative to handle increasing passenger demand and international operations in the financial hub.
The move is expected to significantly impact flight schedules and operations for foreign airlines currently serving Mumbai's existing airports. Industry observers note the directive carries substantial implications for international connectivity to India's financial capital, though carriers retain the option to continue services from alternative facilities.