India’s business aviation sector is facing a major disruption as private jet operators have been issued an eviction notice by Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), requiring them to vacate parking bays at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) by July 31. The Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA) has made an urgent appeal to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to intervene, calling the move “disproportionate and exclusionary.” MIAL, operated by the Adani Group, has reportedly not provided alternative arrangements, raising serious concerns about the continuity of business aviation operations in India’s financial capital.
In a formal letter addressed to Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, BAOA highlighted the potential fallout of the sudden eviction, which could disrupt executive mobility, corporate connectivity, and emergency air services. The association representing major stakeholders such as Reliance, Hindalco, L&T, JSW Steel, and Taj Air emphasized that CSMIA is a public utility and its facilities must remain accessible in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
Compounding the issue is the lack of coordination with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) also majorly owned by the Adani Group which BAOA says is not yet operationally ready to accommodate displaced general and business aviation (GA/BA) traffic. Despite MIAL holding a 74% stake in NMIA, there has been no transition roadmap, leading to confusion and planning challenges for operators.
Industry experts warn that forced relocation could increase operational costs by up to 30%, due to repositioning flights, crew duty extensions, and longer passenger commute times. Additionally, BAOA has flagged the possibility of hefty one-time parking charges at NMIA that could cripple smaller operators, threatening the survival of a segment that supports economic growth, emergency response, and executive connectivity.
This development has also reignited the debate around airport privatization in India, with stakeholders raising concerns over rising fees and lack of transparency since the Adani Group took over airport management. BAOA has demanded a suspension of the eviction order until a phased, collaborative transition plan is put in place, ensuring minimal disruption to the aviation ecosystem.
With the July 31 deadline looming, all eyes are now on the Ministry of Civil Aviation for a resolution. If left unaddressed, this crisis could set a troubling precedent for how India balances infrastructure privatization with equitable access and long-term aviation planning.
