The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Wednesday said any significant reduction in Mumbai airport capacity should be based on a transparent demand-capacity assessment, apart from consulting the airlines.
This comes a day after the civil aviation ministry (MoCA) asked the Mumbai airport operator, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), to postpone its plan to shift some of its international flights to Navi Mumbai. IATA, which represents more than 360 airlines globally, said, “The discussion now provides an opportunity for stakeholders using the airport to review the underlying capacity requirements, understand the basis of any proposed capacity reduction, examine alternatives that may mitigate such reductions, and work collaboratively on a transition plan that protects passenger interests, airline operations and the international connectivity of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
“Any significant reduction in airport capacity or other measure impacting airline operations should be based on a transparent demand-capacity assessment, meaningful consultation with affected airlines, and sufficient time to develop workable transition arrangements that minimise disruption to airlines and their passengers,” Albert Tjoeng, head of corporate communications at IATA, said. Airlines described the proposed timelines for the shift as “unachievable”, according to people aware of the matter, citing concerns over the lack of consultation with the affected airlines. “The key thing is to reach an agreement on the revised approach among all parties – MIAL and airlines operating at Mumbai Airport – through consultation,” Tjoeng said. He said that IATA has consistently supported the redevelopment of T1, the modernisation of Mumbai airport and the development of Navi Mumbai International Airport, “all of which are important to the long-term growth of aviation and international connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan region.”
