Indian airlines, including Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, and private jet operators have flagged concerns regarding the relocation of some parts of their operations to the Adani Group’s newly built Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA), the airlines and business aviation users, body the Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA), have urged the authorities to review directives by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), including orders to vacate parking spaces by July 31, MoneyControl reported. The development is further likely to delay the launch of the newly built airport by the billionaire Gautam Adani-led Adani Group.
The move has come after the Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL) had issued directives in April and May this year, urging the airlines and operators to vacate their parking bays at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) by July 31 to allow construction of a new taxiway.
Contesting the directive, BAOA Managing Director R K Bali, via a letter to the Civil Aviation Secretary, reportedly said the parking bays are a public infrastructure asset, and hence, they should remain accessible to all stakeholders in a non-discriminatory manner. The BAOA’s membership consists of Hindalco, Taj Air, JSW Steel, Grasim Industries, Reliance Transport and Larsen & Toubro.
“Parking permits have been cancelled on account of redevelopment activities proposed at CSMIA, and no alternative parking space can be provided at CSMIA,” said BAOA, according to MoneyControl.
The association requested the cancellation or postponement of the relocation orders until an alternate arrangement for parking is made available. Additionally, the BAOA flagged that the proposed charges at NMIA are significantly higher. It reportedly cited that a planned Rs 20 crore parking stand fee, together with annual usage charges at NMIA, is around 30% higher than current fees at CSMIA.
On the other hand, the taxiway project is being fast-tracked, and an extension for relocation is unlikely.
“We are currently fast tracking the project and, as such, no provision has been made for any extension,” an AAHL spokesperson told MoneyControl.
