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GVK group-run Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) has asked Air India and GoAir to shift from Terminal 1A to its Terminal 2 from September. At present, among the domestic airlines, only Vistara operates from T2.
However, the shifting may be delayed as GoAir is said to have expressed reservations about the shifting plan, sources said. Air India could not be reached for comment. Mumbai's airport has three domestic terminals: 1A, 1B and 1C (which has an access from 1B). While Air India and GoAir operate from Terminal 1A, private airlines — IndiGo, Jet Airways, and SpiceJet function from Terminal 1B. Jet Airways is expected to move to T2 next year.
MIAL has not yet announced how it intends to utilise Terminal 1A after Air India and GoAir vacate it. Sources also said GoAir is still discussing the plan with the airport management and is said to have opposed the idea of shifting airlines in batches. Also, charges at T2 are also higher than T1A or T1B’s and that is one of the reasons low-cost airlines, including IndiGo, are not too keen on shifting to T2.
A media report on Friday said IndiGo is in talks with MIAL to allow it to use Terminal 1A exclusively. The report said IndiGo would have to pay a premium for exclusive use.
IndiGo did not comment on the issue. Sources say while IndiGo is open to the idea of operating out of the existing terminal, the airport management is yet to decide on the issue of continuing operations and allowing its exclusive use or using the space for an alternate purpose.
