Navi Mumbai Airport Opens: What Changes for Your Flight Bookings Tomorrow?

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), also known as D. B. Patil International Airport, is set to begin commercial operations on December 25, 2025. This launch establishes a vital multi-airport system for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The new facility is expected to significantly alleviate congestion at the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). The first phase is designed to handle 20 million passengers annually.

Passenger Navigation and Airport Codes

Many travelers have expressed concern about accidentally booking flights to the wrong airport. This is a common worry with a new dual-airport system.

Distinguishing Your Destination

Passengers must check the three-letter airport code during booking. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) assigns these codes to identify destinations globally. The existing CSMIA retains the code BOM, derived from the city’s former name, Bombay. The new Navi Mumbai facility has been officially assigned the code NMI. Checking this code is the definitive way to confirm the airport for any flight.

Initial Operations and Key Routes

Commercial operations will start with a limited schedule. The airport will initially operate within a 12-hour window, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. On the first day, the airport will manage 30 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs).

• The inaugural arrival is scheduled for 8:00 am.
• IndiGo flight 6E 460 from Bengaluru will be the first arrival.
• The first departure, IndiGo flight 6E 882 to Hyderabad, is set for 8:40 am.

Major Indian carriers are launching operations from NMI. Airlines operating from the new facility include IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express, and Star Air. Initial domestic routes will connect Navi Mumbai to key cities across India, including Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Goa, Hyderabad, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Nagpur. IndiGo plans to add Coimbatore, Chennai, and Vadodara before January 1.

Financial Impact on Airfares

Travelers booking flights from NMI may notice a difference in ticket prices compared to CSMIA. This variation is largely driven by the User Development Fee (UDF) and associated taxes.

User Development Fee (UDF) Comparison

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has approved an ad-hoc UDF for NMIA. The domestic departure UDF for NMIA is set at ₹620. This is significantly higher than the domestic departure UDF of ₹175 at CSMIA, as per AERA's tariff orders. This difference of ₹445, combined with the Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax (GST) applied to the total fare, contributes to a higher overall ticket price. Some reported ticket price differences for IndiGo flights are between Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,000, depending on booking time.

The higher UDF is a key factor in the increased cost for passengers flying from the new airport. This financial detail is crucial for travelers comparing prices. For residents of Navi Mumbai, the new airport offers a significant time-saving benefit. Reduced travel time and avoiding city traffic offset the cost difference for many frequent fliers.

This development marks a major shift in Mumbai air travel changes and is a key piece of commercial aviation news from India. For more flight operation news, visit flying.flights.