Mumbai: Air India is in discussions with Adani Airports Holdings (AAHL) to establish the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport as its hub for international operations. The airport, scheduled to begin commercial operations in mid-November, is being considered a strategic alternative to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), which has reached its maximum handling capacity. Industry sources indicate that Terminal 2 at Navi Mumbai will be designed for hub operations from the start, with Air India providing inputs to align infrastructure with its long-haul requirements.
The existing CSMIA faces limitations in both passenger capacity and scope for expansion, making it increasingly difficult for airlines to scale operations. In contrast, Navi Mumbai is being positioned as a modern facility capable of supporting the growth of international traffic. AAHL has projected that Terminal 1, with an estimated handling capacity of 20–23 million passengers annually, may reach saturation within six months of opening. Anticipating this demand, construction on a second terminal has already begun, with operations targeted for 2029. Together, both terminals are expected to accommodate up to 60 million passengers, supported by two operational runways.
Industry observers note that shifting hub operations to Navi Mumbai would not only ease congestion at CSMIA but also provide Air India with a base better suited for global connectivity. The decision underscores a broader restructuring of Mumbai’s aviation landscape, with the new airport expected to gradually take on a more dominant role in handling international traffic.
Also Read:
CrowdStrike Introduces Falcon Next-Gen Identity Security to Address Evolving Cyber Threats
