Mumbai Airport Network Glitch Disrupts IndiGo, Air India Flights; Passengers Face Gate Confusion

News india Mumbai Airport Network Glitch Disrupts IndiGo, Air India Flights; Passengers Face Gate Confusion

Last Updated:October 27, 2026, 21:56 IST

Airport sources said check-in operations had slowed down but had not stopped due to network issue.

A technical glitch at Mumbai airport disrupted flight operations of IndiGo and Air India from 7.05 pm on Tuesday, with passengers reporting confusion over gate changes, delays involving crew and slow boarding scanners.

Airport sources, as quoted by Hindustan Times, said check-in operations had slowed down but had not stopped due to network issue. Teams were working to resolve the problem, while all systems were switched to manual mode as a precautionary measure, in line with protocol. Travellers are advised to check their flight status with airlines before heading to the airport.

The disruption comes as IndiGo and the Air India Group prepare to shift part of their operations from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), ahead of the redevelopment of Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1.

IndiGo To Shift 12 Daily International Departures

Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), IndiGo and the Air India Group jointly announced their plans on October 25 to progressively move selected services to NMIA.

IndiGo plans to begin international operations from Navi Mumbai in February 2027. It will gradually transfer 12 daily international departures from Mumbai airport and add a service to Kathmandu.

The airline will move its existing international operations to Bahrain, Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Kuwait, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Muscat, Dhaka and Jakarta. With Kathmandu added to the list, IndiGo plans to serve 12 international destinations from NMIA between February and July 2027.

The airline will also shift domestic services needed to support these international flights, allowing passengers to connect between domestic and international services at Navi Mumbai. Final transition dates will be announced after coordination work is completed and the necessary operating approvals are secured.

The move is also expected to free up capacity at Mumbai airport for IndiGo’s international expansion in 2027, including new services across Asia, Africa and Europe using its growing fleet of A320/A321 aircraft and A321XLRs.

IndiGo and AAHL said the transfer of domestic operations would also contribute to the capacity reductions needed for the redevelopment of Terminal 1 by 2030. Any further changes to IndiGo’s operations at T1 will be accommodated at Terminal 2.

Air India Express To Move Domestic, West Asia Services

Air India Express plans to start operations from NMIA with four daily domestic flights in December 2026. Existing services to Oman and planned services to Kuwait are expected to shift from January 2027, with the Kuwait transition subject to regulatory approvals.

The Air India Group will also progressively transfer services to Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, Muscat and Sharjah to Navi Mumbai. The transition is expected to be completed by the IATA Northern Summer 2027 season.

The airline group said the decision followed consultations with the airport operator and aligned with the wider shift of domestic and international operations to Navi Mumbai. Operating from both airports would help preserve the historical nature of its existing slots at Mumbai airport while allowing it to continue serving the market.

Two-Airport System To Ease Capacity Pressure

AAHL is working to establish NMIA as a second aviation hub for the Mumbai region, easing pressure on the capacity-constrained Mumbai airport while allowing the redevelopment of Terminal 1 to proceed.

IndiGo and AAHL said the phased transfer would ensure a transparent and proportionate redistribution of capacity, taking each airline’s presence at Mumbai airport into account. They said the approach would give airlines and passengers greater planning certainty while minimising operational disruption.

The Air India Group said operating from both airports would offer travellers greater choice and convenience and support the growth of aviation infrastructure across the region.

The planned changes mark a gradual redistribution of flights rather than a complete shift away from Mumbai airport. IndiGo will transfer 12 daily international departures and associated domestic connectivity, while Air India Express will move selected domestic and West Asia services in phases.

The transition is expected to play an important role in the redevelopment of Terminal 1, which will require capacity reductions as work progresses. The expansion of international operations at NMIA is also intended to strengthen connectivity from Navi Mumbai as the airport increases its operations.

About the Author

Shuddhanta PatraSenior Sub-Editor

Shuddhanta Patra is an Indian journalist with about nine years of experience in covering national politics, geopolitics, defence, diplomacy and international affairs. Her reporting focuses on South As...Read More

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