Adani Airports rules out possibility of entering airline business

Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), has categorically ruled out the company's plans to enter the airline business. Responding to reports of Adani Group's desire to enter the airline sector, he stated that airlines are customers of AAHL and competing with customers is never a good strategy. According to reports by Business Standard and NDTV, he also clarified that AAHL and the Adani Group should be kept separate in this context.

Speaking during the 'Aviation India and South Asia 2026' conference in India's capital, New Delhi, Bansal stated that AAHL currently operates eight airports and serves approximately 10 crore passengers annually. The company aims to handle 300 million (30 crore) passengers annually through its airports in the next ten years. He further added that AAHL will also participate in the process of privatisation of airports.

Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports are part of AAHL. Work is underway to increase airside capacity at Mumbai airport, and the renovation work of Terminal 1 is expected to be completed in early 2030. Due to the redevelopment work of Terminal 1, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) is making preparations to shift some part of the flight operations currently running at Terminal 2 to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).

According to a report by The Hindu, this shifting of flight operations is being opposed by international airlines. Airlines have expressed concerns regarding the lack of sufficient consultation, the impact on passengers, and the operational aspects of splitting Mumbai's operations between two different airports. Amidst this controversy, Arun Bansal told foreign airlines in clear terms that if they are not willing to shift their operations to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, they may stop flying to Mumbai.

Defending the situation at Mumbai airport while speaking to journalists, Bansal said that airlines have been given notice to vacate the current facilities from April. Giving an example, he said, "Just as a landlord tells his tenants to vacate the property... we have told the airlines that you will have to vacate from April. After that, where you go is your choice." He provided these details against the backdrop of the India Aviation Summit 2026.