Navi Mumbai International Airport Begins Commercial Flights, Easing Mumbai Congestion

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) officially commenced commercial flight operations on December 25, 2025. This landmark event marks a significant expansion of Mumbai aviation capacity. The new airport is designed to ease pressure on the city's primary hub, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). Mumbai now transitions into a vital multi-airport system, joining other global cities.

Day One Operational Highlights

Day one saw a successful start for the major greenfield airport project. NMIA handled 48 scheduled flights, connecting nine domestic destinations. Airport officials reported serving over 4,000 passengers throughout the day.

The inaugural arrival was IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru. It touched down at 8:00 a.m., receiving a traditional water cannon salute. Shortly after, IndiGo flight 6E882 to Hyderabad became the first departure. Other carriers like Akasa Air and Air India Express also began services.

Project Development and Capacity

NMIA is officially named Loknete D.B. Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport. The facility is developed and operated by Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL).

In its initial phase, NMIA is designed to handle 20 million passengers per annum (MPPA). The long-term vision projects a massive scale-up to 90 MPPA. This makes it one of India's most ambitious infrastructure projects.

Initial operations are running for 12 hours daily, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Plans are in place to progressively scale up to round-the-clock services by February 2026.

Impact on Aviation Stakeholders

The opening is a major win for the Indian aviation sector. It provides crucial new slots and capacity for airlines. This launch directly addresses the severe congestion at CSMIA. The existing Mumbai airport is known as the world's busiest single-runway airport.

• Airlines gain new operational bases and expansion opportunities.
• Passengers benefit from reduced delays and improved connectivity.
• The Mumbai Metropolitan Region secures its future aviation growth.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani personally welcomed passengers on the inaugural day. The inauguration included a flag-hoisting ceremony with Param Vir Chakra awardees. This event signifies a new era for commercial aviation news and infrastructure in Western India (Read more at flying.flights). The airport’s iconic terminal design is inspired by the lotus flower.