Mumbai International Airport Ltd and West Asian carriers are at odds over a proposed cut in flight schedules for the coming winter schedule.
MIAL informed West Asian airlines about the cut in slots last week. While this is aimed to push traffic to Navi Mumbai, it has sparked off protests.
The airlines have called MIAL’s action unilateral and unfair in a complaint to the Civil Aviation Ministry.
Mumbai airport, the second busiest in the country, sees around 121 daily flights to/from West Asia. Indian carriers have over 60 per cent capacity from Mumbai measured by number of flights.
Fifteen West Asian airlines operate 44 flights daily to/from Mumbai. Emirates leads with ten flights (two way), followed by Etihad Airways (eight).
In a complaint to the Ministry, the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) said no meeting or dialogue was held with airlines before issuing a letter on slot reduction.
The AOC comprises both Indian and foreign carriers operating at Mumbai.
‘biased move’
“Such a significant operational decision, which directly impacts airlines schedules, connectivity, and passenger experience, cannot and must not be imposed without stakeholder engagement. The total absence of discussion reflects a serious breach of process, transparency, and good governance,” wrote Victor Denis Dsouza, Chairman, AOC - Mumbai, in his letter.
“Moreover, the proposal reveals clear bias and unfairness, with certain airlines disproportionately impacted, while others appear to be shielded. This selective and discriminatory treatment is entirely contrary to the principles of equity and non-discrimination that must govern slot allocations and airport operations,” Dsouza added.
MIAL, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways did not respond to queries by press time.
“It will not be viable to split operations between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports. For an international airline it doesn’t make sense. We also get a lot of connecting traffic at Mumbai and will miss on those if forced to shift operations,” said a senior airline executive.
Move to navi mumbai
The planned reduction in slots is the second such move to pressure airlines to move to Navi Mumbai.
On April 21, MIAL asked airlines to suspend freighter operations from August 16 citing construction of new taxiways for the secondary runway.
A day later, Navi Mumbai airport wrote to airlines asking them to take the first mover advantage by shifting operations there. While the Navi Mumbai airport lists several facilities that makes it an ideal hub for freighters, airlines are resisting the forced suspension of flights at Mumbai.
Navi Mumbai airport is set for inauguration in June.