India's Newest Greenfield Airport Opens; IndiGo Flight Receives Water Cannon Salute

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), India’s newest Greenfield airport, has officially commenced commercial operations. The launch occurred on Thursday, December 25, marking a major milestone for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) aviation sector. This new facility is designed to significantly boost air travel capacity and ease the load on the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).

Inaugural Flights and Initial Operations

The start of Navi Mumbai International Airport commercial operations was heralded by a ceremonial welcome. IndiGo was the first airline to arrive, with flight 6E460 landing from Bengaluru. The aircraft received a traditional water cannon salute upon arrival, signifying the airport’s official opening. Shortly after, the first departure was an IndiGo flight to Hyderabad.

During the initial phase, the airport will operate for 12 hours daily, running from 08:00 hours to 20:00 hours. This schedule includes handling 23 scheduled daily departures, managing up to 10 aircraft movements per hour. The airport plans to transition to round-the-clock operations starting in February 2026, expanding to 34 daily departures.

Key Airline Services

Four airlines are anchoring the initial domestic services from NMIA. These carriers are IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and Star Air.

• IndiGo: The dominant operator, connecting NMIA to over 10 key destinations nationwide.
• Air India Express: Inaugurated services with direct flights to Bengaluru and Delhi.
• Akasa Air: Operating scheduled flights connecting Navi Mumbai with Goa, Delhi, Kochi, and Ahmedabad.

Collectively, these airlines are linking Mumbai to 16 major domestic destinations during the initial launch period.

Operational Readiness and Future Capacity

The successful launch follows an intensive Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) program. The comprehensive ORAT trials involved full-scale simulations of passenger journeys and emergency responses. This process ensured all infrastructure, technology, and personnel were fully tested and prepared for commercial service.

NMIA is a crucial public-private partnership airport project. Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a subsidiary of Adani Airports Holdings Limited, holds the majority 74% stake. The City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) holds the remaining 26%.

The airport's initial phase one capacity is 20 million passengers per annum (MPPA). Upon completion of all phases, the airport is planned to handle up to 90 MPPA. This massive expansion is vital for supporting India's rapidly growing air travel demand. The new facility is set to transform the regional air travel landscape and is a major topic in commercial aviation news.

Impact on Mumbai Metropolitan Region

The opening of India's newest Greenfield airport directly addresses the long-standing issue of congestion at CSMIA. The existing Mumbai airport operates near or at full capacity, limiting new flight additions. The new airport provides much-needed Mumbai Metropolitan Region air capacity and operational resilience.

• Opportunity: NMIA provides airlines with new slots and room for growth, especially for low-cost carriers like IndiGo and Akasa Air.
• Challenge: Connectivity remains a focus, as some key infrastructure projects linking the airport to the city are still underway.
• Benefit: The airport's location opens up access to the Konkan region and surrounding areas, boosting regional economic development.

The phased rollout, which began with the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October, prioritizes passenger safety and reliability. The successful launch of the IndiGo first flight Navi Mumbai marks a significant step toward a unified, high-capacity aviation hub for the MMR.