The Mumbai Airport has been directed by the Government to reduce flights and limit business jet movements in order to address concerns regarding congestion. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has instructed the airport to decrease aircraft movements during rush hours from 46 to 44 and during non-peak hours from 44 to 42.
This decision will result in the reduction of approximately 40 flights, with IndiGo being the most heavily affected airline, facing a cut of 18 flights. The Air India group, which includes Vistara, will also have to cut 17 flights. The curfew on the operation of business jets has also been extended from four hours to eight hours, prompting protests from major corporate groups such as Reliance Industries, JSW, and the Mahindra group.
The Government’s move comes after concerns were raised by Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia regarding the declining on-time departure performance at the airport. Senior air traffic controllers attribute the delays primarily to overscheduling by airlines, as there has been a surge in demand for air travel. Government officials have highlighted that infrastructure availability and unscheduled movements, such as government and business aircraft, also contribute to the delays.
Rajesh Bali, the Managing Director of the Business Aircraft Operator Association, has expressed concerns that additional restrictions on business jets will significantly impede business aviation operations, impacting Mumbai’s role as the nation’s commercial hub. Airline network planners have warned that abrupt flight cancellations will pose challenges in redeploying aircraft, leading to financial losses. They also anticipate significant compensation payouts to affected passengers.
The Government’s decision reflects the broader challenges faced by airports nationwide due to increased air traffic following the impact of Covid-19. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has mandated that any addition of new flights must take into consideration the passenger-handling capacity at security checkpoints. The BCAS has set standards for the maximum number of passengers handled per hour by X-ray machines on both domestic and international sides.
In conclusion, the Government’s directive to reduce flights and limit business jet movements at Mumbai Airport aims to address congestion concerns and improve on-time departure performance. However, this decision has faced opposition from corporate groups and raises concerns about the impact on business aviation operations and potential financial losses for airlines.
