Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has accused the BJP-led government of deliberately weakening Mumbai’s international connectivity by reducing flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The allegation follows Mumbai International Airport Ltd’s (MIAL) proposal to temporarily withdraw 265 of the 770 weekly international departure slots at Terminal 2 (T2) from October 25, a reduction of about 33 per cent. The slots are required to accommodate additional domestic operations during the redevelopment of Terminal 1 (T1).

In a post on X, Thackeray said the move was part of a wider pattern that had weakened Mumbai’s position as an economic and international hub. He claimed companies, manufacturers and even the International Financial Services Centre had been moved out of the city, adversely affecting the Indian economy.

“Now by finishing off our airport, the BJP intends to finish Mumbai’s ability to connect with the world, intentionally,” he said.

Airlines operating international services from Mumbai have opposed the proposed reduction, saying the winter schedule had already been approved and that carriers had made operational and passenger commitments accordingly.

IndiGo faces the largest cut, involving 74 weekly slots, followed by Air India with 33. Akasa Air, Air India Express, SpiceJet, Emirates and Etihad are also affected.

Carriers have sought clarity on how the reduction was calculated and urged consultations with MIAL and the government. The Civil Aviation Ministry is scheduled to meet airlines and MIAL on October 6.

MIAL says T1’s redevelopment will eventually raise its annual capacity to about 20 million passengers. Thackeray has argued that Navi Mumbai International Airport should supplement, not replace, Mumbai’s services.