The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has strongly opposed any regulatory or government-mandated shift of airline operations from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIAR). Advocating for commercial autonomy, the global airline trade body emphasised that carriers should retain full freedom to choose their operating bases based on demand, network connectivity, fleet strategy and ground-handling efficiency rather than administrative directives. Pointing to international multi-airport systems like London, New York and Tokyo, IATA cautioned that forced reallocations risk disrupting existing airline hub operations, increasing transition costs and fragmenting transit networks. Instead, the association urged aviation authorities to adopt market-based incentives and transparent slot allocation frameworks to support balanced traffic distribution across Mumbai’s dual-airport ecosystem, according to a report.
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