What Did Navi Mumbai Airport's 'Dress Rehearsal' Prove Before December 25 Launch?

December 21, 2025 at 06:23 AM•3 min read

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) oversight of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) ORAT trials confirms readiness for the

Key Points

1Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is confirmed to begin commercial flight operations on December 25, 2025, after completing its rigorous Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) program.
2The ORAT trials involved full-scale simulations with over 1,000 mock passengers, testing check-in, security, baggage handling, and emergency response, leading to the resolution of over 1,300 identified issues.
3Initial operations will be limited to 12 hours daily (08:00-20:00) with 23 scheduled departures, led by IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express, before scaling up to 24x7 service from February 2026.
4The launch of NMIA is a strategic move to ease significant air traffic congestion at Mumbai's existing CSMIA, with the new airport planned to eventually handle 90 million passengers annually.

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set for its debut. The new greenfield airport is ready for commercial flight operations. This launch is scheduled for December 25, 2025—Christmas Day. The opening follows months of rigorous testing. This testing is known as the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) program.

NMIA will become Mumbai's second major airport. It aims to relieve capacity constraints at the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). This new facility is a critical step. It supports the growing aviation demand in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Understanding the ORAT 'Dress Rehearsals'

ORAT is a structured, comprehensive program. It ensures an airport is fully prepared to operate safely. These live operational trials are the "full-dress rehearsals". They test every system before the first flight.

Key Areas Tested in ORAT

The trials involved simulating real passenger journeys. Staff and volunteers acted as travelers. They used mock boarding passes and luggage.

People: Testing coordination among all agencies. This includes airlines, ground handlers, and security. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was formally inducted in October 2025.
Processes: Simulating check-in, security screening, and baggage claim. Aircraft turnaround simulations were also conducted.
Systems: Validating IT, baggage belts, power, and fuel systems. Digital-first passenger communication systems were tested.

During the ORAT process, over 1,300 issues were identified. These issues were formally recorded and resolved. This structured closure process is vital. It minimizes operational risks during the launch. The successful completion confirms airport operational readiness.

Initial Operations and Airline Commitment

NMIA will start with modest operations. The first phase runs for 12 hours daily (08:00 to 20:00). It will handle up to 23 scheduled daily departures. This involves about 10 aircraft movements per hour.

Three major carriers will begin services from NMIA:

IndiGo: The first operator, connecting 10 domestic cities initially.
Akasa Air: Launching services to Delhi and Goa.
Air India Express: Planning daily flights from the opening day.

The Inaugural Flight Schedule

The inaugural arrival is IndiGo flight 6E460. It is scheduled from Bengaluru at 08:00 on December 25. The first departure is IndiGo 6E882. It will fly to Hyderabad at 08:40. This marks the official start of commercial flight operations.

Impact and Future Outlook

NMIA's launch is a major infrastructure boost. It is a key part of Maharashtra's economic strategy. The new airport is designed to handle 20 million passengers annually in Phase 1. Long-term plans project a capacity of 90 million passengers.

The initial limited schedule is strategic. It allows operators to stabilize systems. The airport will transition to 24x7 operations in February 2026. Daily departures will increase to 34 at that time. The successful ORAT process provides confidence. It assures the industry of a smooth transition. This is critical for the future of commercial aviation news in the region commercial aviation news. The DGCA will continue to monitor operations closely. This ensures adherence to all international aviation standards.