Quick answer: reports say 14 international destinations could be moved from Mumbai (CSMIA) to Navi Mumbai airport (NMI) from the summer 2027 schedule, which starts on 28 March 2027. Akasa Air will fly Mumbai to Jeddah from Navi Mumbai from 15 December 2026, and IndiGo and Air India Express have agreed to phased moves. Foreign airlines, including Emirates and Air France-KLM, have objected, and as of 6 November Mumbai airport had allotted summer 2027 slots to 38 of its 50 international airlines, and the final arrangement for the other 12 had not been announced as of 7 November 2026.
Report on the 14 routes (PTI, 4 November) | National Herald, 6 November | Akasa Air Jeddah move (Free Press Journal)
This guide follows press reports and airline announcements. Plans can change at short notice and the airlines on many routes have not been named. Always check which airport your ticket names, because NMI (Navi Mumbai) and BOM (Mumbai) are different airports. This guide is independent and is not affiliated with any airline or airport. Last updated: 7 November 2026.
The 14 routes in the proposal
A report by PTI on 4 November 2026 says foreign airlines at Mumbai airport recommended a destination-based shift, meaning all flights on a given route would operate from one airport and not be split between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The routes named are:
| Region | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Gulf and West Asia | Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Fujairah, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Madinah, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, Sharjah |
| South and South East Asia | Dhaka, Jakarta, Kathmandu |
The report does not say which airlines fly each route. The airlines that made the recommendation were not named. Mumbai airport’s operator has said it would move all flights on these routes if airlines do not propose their own moves.
What airlines have confirmed
| Airline | Plan | Timing reported |
|---|---|---|
| Air India Express | Already flies Navi Mumbai to Abu Dhabi, three flights a week | Since 15 July 2026 |
| Akasa Air | Mumbai to Jeddah moves to Navi Mumbai, two flights a day on a 737 MAX 8 | From 15 December 2026 |
| Air India Express | Four daily domestic flights from Navi Mumbai, then Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, Muscat and Sharjah. Kuwait is planned from January 2027 subject to approval | Domestic from December 2026 in most reports. One report places the move in January 2027 |
| IndiGo | Moves 12 daily international departures from Mumbai in phases, subject to approvals. See our IndiGo international flights guide | February to July 2027 |
For the Akasa Jeddah flight, the Free Press Journal lists a departure from Navi Mumbai at 4:45 am on the first day and a second daily flight at 5:25 pm. Check the exact times with the airline before you book. Press reports of 26 October 2026 describe the IndiGo and Air India Group plans (see Forbes India and Skift).
Why Mumbai airport is making room
- Mumbai airport’s operator plans to rebuild Terminal 1, which the reports describe as about 60 years old. A structural audit by IIT Bombay is cited as finding corrosion, concrete deterioration and cracks.
- The operator wants to move about 5 million passengers a year, roughly 9% of Mumbai airport’s capacity, while the work goes on. Indian airlines’ plans cover about 3 million of that.
- Reports differ on when Terminal 1 work begins. One says January 2027, another says demolition in April 2027. Summer schedule changes would start on 28 March 2027.
Where the airlines disagree
- Emirates has questioned whether Navi Mumbai has enough operational capacity, including catering and cargo facilities, for large international operations.
- Air France-KLM has described splitting operations between two airports as operationally inefficient.
- Emirates and Air France have approached the Civil Aviation Ministry, according to National Herald. The reports do not quote a ministry response.
- The Airport Operators’ Committee in Mumbai called the capacity cut unilateral. IATA has asked for an independent readiness assessment. Mumbai airport’s operator says the Terminal 1 rebuild is essential for safety and that the process is not abrupt.
- On 6 November Daijiworld reported that Mumbai airport’s operator had finalised summer 2027 slots for 38 of the 50 international airlines. The other 12, which operate around 16 daily departures to 14 destinations, had not been allotted slots from the end of March 2027 and may shift affected services to Navi Mumbai airport, according to people familiar with the matter. The reports do not name the airlines. The operator says about 91 percent of the airport’s existing capacity is unaffected and that historical slots will be respected during the temporary transition (Daijiworld).
- The operator had planned to start shifting some international services from 25 October 2026 and postponed the transition to March 2027 after concerns from several foreign carriers, according to Daijiworld.
- Foreign airlines have indicated that if their historical slots are denied they could approach aviation regulators in their home countries, including the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority of Oman and Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, according to the Indian Express on 5 November.
Adani Airport Holdings’ chief executive said on 29 October that talks with the remaining airlines were nearing completion and a decision was expected within a month. He said airlines would either move to Navi Mumbai or temporarily stop flying to Mumbai (see Outlook India).
Timeline reported so far
| Date | What is reported |
|---|---|
| 25 October 2026 | Originally planned start of the shift, postponed to March 2027, per Daijiworld |
| 3 November 2026 | Deadline for airlines to submit transition plans to Mumbai airport’s operator |
| 5 November 2026 | Deadline to communicate slot decisions under the IATA slot calendar, per the Indian Express |
| 6 November 2026 | Slots reported finalised for 38 of 50 international airlines, per Daijiworld |
| 15 December 2026 | Akasa Air starts Mumbai to Jeddah flights from Navi Mumbai |
| December 2026 | Air India Express plans four daily domestic flights from Navi Mumbai |
| January 2027 | Air India Express West Asia moves and Kuwait (subject to approval) begin, per most reports. Terminal 1 construction is scheduled to begin, per Daijiworld |
| February to July 2027 | IndiGo moves international departures in phases |
| 28 March 2027 | Start of the summer schedule, when Mumbai airport would suspend slots on the 14 routes |
| April 2027 | Terminal 1 demolition expected to begin in phases, per PTI and Daijiworld |
| March 2029 | Redeveloped Terminal 1 targeted to open, per Daijiworld. The Indian Express says the redevelopment is expected to continue until 2029-30 |
What it could mean for passengers
- Check the airport code. Your ticket will say NMI for Navi Mumbai or BOM for Mumbai. See the Navi Mumbai airport vs Mumbai airport comparison.
- Fees may differ. National Herald reports an international departure user development fee of Rs 1,225 at Navi Mumbai against Rs 615 for an economy passenger at Mumbai airport, with landing fee waivers and proposed cash vouchers described as only partly offsetting the cost.
- Getting there. Free hourly shuttles between the two airports and bus links have been announced. The same report lists MSRTC e-Shivai fares of Rs 170 from Dadar, Rs 210 from Borivali and Rs 450 from Pune. See the guide to reaching Navi Mumbai airport and the Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai airport transfer guide.
- Layovers and connections. If your flights are on different airports or tickets, allow extra time and check baggage rules with the airline. See also the Swirl Transit Hotel guide.
Flying from Mumbai on an Indian e-passport? See how Digi Yatra on international flights works during the trial.
What is still unresolved
- Which airlines operate each of the 14 routes, and which have proposed moves.
- Which of the 12 airlines without slots will move to Navi Mumbai, and whether any will challenge the decision with regulators.
- Whether the Civil Aviation Ministry will step in.
- Whether the Terminal 1 schedule holds: construction is scheduled for January 2027 and demolition for April 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which international flights could move to Navi Mumbai airport in 2027?
Reports name 14 destinations: Bahrain, Dammam, Dhaka, Doha, Fujairah, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait City, Madinah, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Sharjah. The plan is not final.
When does the shift start?
Akasa Air moves its Jeddah flights on 15 December 2026. IndiGo moves in phases from February to July 2027. Mumbai airport would suspend slots on the 14 routes from the summer schedule starting 28 March 2027, according to the reports.
Which airlines have objected?
Emirates and Air France-KLM are named. They have raised capacity and operational concerns, and have approached the Civil Aviation Ministry according to National Herald.
Is Akasa Air flying from Navi Mumbai to Jeddah?
Yes from 15 December 2026, according to the Free Press Journal, with two flights a day. Check the times with the airline.
Will my existing Mumbai ticket change?
Only if your airline moves your route. Check the airport code on your ticket and any notice from the airline.
How far apart are the two airports?
Reports put them at roughly 40 to 50 km, with free hourly shuttles announced between them.
Sources
| Point | Source |
|---|---|
| 38 of 50 airlines allotted slots, postponement to March 2027, Terminal 1 construction and opening dates | Daijiworld, 6 November 2026 |
| Slot deadline, airlines’ objections to the process, regulators | Indian Express, 5 November 2026 |
| 14 routes, 28 March 2027, Terminal 1 timing, MIAL letter | The Week, PTI report, 4 November 2026 |
| Airline objections, ministry approach, fees, shuttles and fares | National Herald, 6 November 2026 |
| Akasa Air Jeddah from 15 December | Free Press Journal, 6 November 2026 |
| Emirates, Air France-KLM, Adani CEO comments, decision timeline | Outlook India, 29 October 2026 |
| IndiGo and Air India Express plans | Forbes India, 26 October 2026 and Skift, 26 October 2026 |
Last updated 7 November 2026. This page will be updated as airlines and the airport operator announce decisions.
NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not affiliated with any government body.
