Navi Mumbai International Airport Launches Operations: What Travelers Need to Know

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has officially launched its commercial operations, providing connections to 16 major domestic destinations. Initially operating for 12 hours daily, the airport will expand to 24-hour operations by February 2026. Major airlines like IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air are already offering services. This new airport, a public-private partnership, aims to enhance air travel in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region while prioritizing passenger safety and comfort. Read on to learn more about the services and future plans for NMIA.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 25, 2025, 12:44 IST

Navi Mumbai International Airport Begins Operations

Mumbai: The newly established Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) officially commenced commercial operations on Thursday, coinciding with Christmas Day.

During its initial phase, travelers can take advantage of services provided by IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air, which will connect Navi Mumbai to 16 significant domestic locations.

For the first month, NMIA will operate for 12 hours daily, from 08:00 AM to 08:00 PM, accommodating 23 scheduled departures each day. The airport is set to manage up to 10 flight movements every hour during this time.

IndiGo has already started its operations at NMIA, with its inaugural flight arriving from Bengaluru in the morning, followed by a departure to Hyderabad. Initially, IndiGo will connect NMIA to over 10 major destinations across India.

Air India Express has also launched its services from NMIA, offering direct flights to Bengaluru and Delhi, with its first flight heading to Bengaluru.

Akasa Air's first flight arrived at NMIA from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, and it will also operate flights connecting Navi Mumbai with Goa, Delhi, Kochi, and Ahmedabad.

As India’s latest Greenfield airport, NMIA will initially operate for 12 hours, with plans to transition to 24-hour operations starting February 2026, increasing to 34 daily departures to cater to the growing demands of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The airport is currently undergoing extensive Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) trials in partnership with various stakeholders, including security agencies and airline partners.

NMIA is a public-private partnership (PPP) involving Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a subsidiary of Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), which holds a 74% stake, while the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) retains the remaining 26%.

The inauguration of NMIA by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8 marked the beginning of a carefully planned operational rollout, emphasizing passenger safety, reliability, and comfort from the outset.