Adani Airports on Wednesday urged the central government to create a mechanism to review and revise policies around the adoption of advanced security technology at airports in the country.
“There is no reason why our airport security system has to be 10 years old… Now we have new technology, so the adoption rate has to go up, and that can only happen through constant revision of policy, with all stakeholders,” Adani Airports Chief Executive Arun Bansal said during a panel discussion at the Wings India 2026 air show launch at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad.
He added that as technology evolves, government authorities should review and revise policies more frequently in tune with the global best practices.
Lifting Capacity Limits
Bansal also requested the government to ease limits on how many seats foreign airlines can sell on flights to and from the country, saying the curbs are holding back its ambition to become a global aviation hub.
The limits, part of bilateral air service agreements, are designed to protect domestic airlines, but have long been a source of frustration for overseas carriers.
“In the short term, growth in Indian aviation is constrained by bilateral agreements,” Bansal said, adding that “For India to become a hub, we need an open skies approach.”
Bansal shared that international flights are expected to start at the new Navi Mumbai International Airport in the first quarter of 2026-27, as the airport focuses on getting its domestic services in order.
The Adani Group opened Navi Mumbai airport for commercial operations on December 25, following its official inauguration in October. Adani Airport Holdings, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd, oversees the management of the airport.
Expanding Operational Hours
Bansal also mentioned that the new airport plans to introduce night landing services in February.
“We have been operating under constraints at Navi Mumbai, but we are moving to 24-hour operations starting next month. This will support passenger growth,” he stated.
Regarding cargo operations, Bansal noted that the company is in discussions with trade partners to expand services at the airport, emphasizing the need for a controlled approach and additional airside capacity.