India's newest aviation hub opens: Which [IndiGo] flight will land first at NMIA?

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set to begin commercial operations on December 25, 2025. This launch marks a major milestone for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The new facility, a state-of-the-art greenfield airport, will significantly boost air travel capacity in the region. The airport was commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8, 2025, following years of planning and construction.

IndiGo will operate the first two commercial flights at the new hub. IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru is scheduled to be the first arrival, touching down at 8:00 am. The first departure will be IndiGo 6E882, heading to Hyderabad at 8:40 am.

Day One Operations and Initial Capacity

The inaugural day will feature operations from several major carriers. These include IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express, and Star Air. Authorities expect a total of 30 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) on the first day of operations. This launch coincides with the busy Christmas-New Year festive period.

Initially, the airport will operate for 12 hours daily, running from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. During this phase, NMIA is scheduled to handle 23 daily departures. The airport plans to transition to full 24-hour operations by February 2026. The first phase of the airport is designed to handle 20 million passengers per annum.

The Mumbai Twin-Airport Model

For decades, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) was Mumbai’s sole international gateway. CSMIA, which is noted as the world's busiest single-runway airport, handled 55.12 million passengers in the fiscal year 2024–25. The massive passenger volume led to significant CSMIA congestion relief becoming a necessity for the region.

The launch of NMIA creates a Mumbai twin-airport model. This structure is similar to other major global hubs. Examples include London (Heathrow–Gatwick), New York (JFK–Newark), and Dubai (DXB–DWC). The new airport is owned by the Adani Group and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) under a Public-Private Partnership.

Impact on the Indian Aviation Sector

NMIA is a crucial infrastructure project for the Indian aviation sector. It will support the growing demand for both domestic and international air travel. The new capacity will allow airlines to expand routes and schedules across the MMR.

• Connectivity: The airport features strategic multimodal connectivity. This includes access via the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), National Highways, and future metro corridors.
• Economic Growth: The project is expected to be a catalyst for regional economic growth, benefiting surrounding cities like Thane, Pune, and Raigad.
• Passenger Experience: The airport features a lotus-inspired terminal design and digital-first systems. This focus aims to provide a world-class travel experience.

The NMIA commercial operations will strengthen Mumbai's position as a premier aviation hub in India. It will also alleviate the operational pressure on the existing airport.