IndiGo Airbus A320 Launches Navi Mumbai Airport: What Easing Mumbai Congestion Means

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has officially commenced commercial operations. This greenfield airport opened on December 25, 2025, after nearly three decades of planning. It is designed to relieve severe congestion at the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).

Inaugural Operations and Early Demand

The first commercial flight, IndiGo flight 6E 460, an Airbus A320 from Bengaluru, landed at 8:00 am. The aircraft was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute. The inaugural cycle was completed when IndiGo flight 6E 882 departed for Hyderabad at 8:40 am.

On the first day, four airlines operated services. These were IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and regional carrier Star Air. They collectively managed 48 flights connecting nine domestic destinations. The airport served over 4,000 passengers on its opening day.

NMIA's initial phase of IndiGo flight operations is limited. The airport will operate for 12 hours daily, from 8 am to 8 pm. It is scheduled to handle up to 24 daily departures to 13 destinations. The facility can manage up to 10 aircraft movements per hour. Plans are in place to progressively scale up to round-the-clock services from February 2026.

Expanding Mumbai's Aviation Capacity

This launch marks a major expansion of Mumbai aviation capacity. The existing CSMIA has operated near or above its capacity for years. NMIA's opening positions the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) as a multi-airport system. This model is common in major global hubs like London, New York, and Shanghai.

• The first phase capacity is 20 million passengers per annum (MPPA).
• The full, multi-phase development is planned to reach 90 MPPA.
• The airport also features a dedicated cargo terminal. This is a core focus due to its proximity to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).

NMIA is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project. The special purpose vehicle, Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL), is majority-owned. The Adani Group holds a 74% stake. The remaining 26% is held by CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation). Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani welcomed the first passengers. He called the opening "a proud day for Mumbai and for India."

This new gateway is critical for India's growing air travel demand. It provides airlines with essential new slots and operational flexibility. The development of connecting infrastructure, such as the Atal Setu, will further improve access to the greenfield airport India project. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.