Goa, Nov. 14 -- A major aviation dispute is brewing in Mumbai as several international airlines have warned of potential diplomatic retaliation if Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) revokes their historical flight slots for the summer 2027 schedule. The conflict stems from MIAL's recent decision to slash slots and relocate operations for carriers serving 14 international destinations-a move designed to reduce capacity ahead of the Terminal 1 redevelopment, which has disproportionately impacted West Asian airlines.

According to industry sources, four foreign carriers have formally written to both MIAL and India's Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), elevating the operational disagreement into a diplomatic issue. In their communications...