Navi Mumbai Airport Targets International Launch by June Following Night Flight Approval
In a significant development for India's aviation sector, the newly operational Navi Mumbai International Airport is poised to commence international operations by June 2026. This ambitious timeline follows the anticipated acquisition of night flight permits, which are expected to be secured within the next month, according to top executives from the Adani Group.
CEO Arun Bansal Outlines Strategic Roadmap at Wings India 2026
Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., revealed these plans during the prestigious Wings India 2026 event held in Hyderabad. "We are currently in the advanced stages of obtaining the night flight permit," Bansal stated emphatically. "Once this clearance is in place, our immediate priority will be to initiate round-the-clock domestic operations. Subsequently, we are targeting the first quarter of the financial year 2027 to launch international flight services from Navi Mumbai."
Bansal further emphasized a critical need for regulatory facilitation to enhance India's global aviation connectivity. He reiterated the importance of simplifying bilateral air service agreements to enable foreign airlines to operate more flights to Indian destinations. This measure is seen as essential until Indian carriers can sufficiently expand their own fleet capacities to meet growing demand.
Incentives for Foreign Carriers and Current Operational Status
In a move designed to attract international airlines, the airport operator has announced a compelling incentive. Foreign carriers commencing operations at Navi Mumbai will benefit from a one-year waiver on parking fees, a concession that will not be extended to domestic airlines. This strategic decision aims to quickly establish the airport as a competitive hub for international travel.
The Navi Mumbai airport, which began commercial operations just over a month ago with its inaugural flight on December 25, 2025, currently operates from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. It has an initial capacity to handle up to ten flights per hour. Major Indian airlines, including market leaders IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air, along with regional carrier Star Air, have already launched domestic services from this new facility.
Since its opening, the airport has recorded an average of 23 daily departures. This number is projected to increase significantly to 34 daily departures starting in February 2026, as per official statements released by the operator in November. Remarkably, the airport crossed the milestone of 100,000 passengers within just the first 19 days of its commercial operations, underscoring strong initial demand.
Addressing Initial Challenges and Broader Business Context
Despite this promising start, the airport is navigating typical teething issues associated with new infrastructure projects. Passengers and staff have reported challenges with mobile network connectivity, including weak signals and patchy coverage within the terminal premises. Airport authorities are actively working to resolve these network connectivity problems to enhance the passenger experience.
Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) represents the eighth airport asset under the control of Adani Airports Holding, a fully owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises. The Adani Group manages these airports primarily through public-private partnership models. Their portfolio includes key airports across India such as those in Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and the existing Mumbai airport, in addition to the new Navi Mumbai facility.
The airport business has emerged as a significant contributor to the Adani Enterprises conglomerate. In the fiscal year 2025, it accounted for 10% of the group's total consolidated income and an impressive 21% of its total EBITDA. Revenue from airport operations witnessed robust growth, surging by 27% to reach ₹8,062 crore. This performance solidifies Adani Airports' position as India's second-largest airport operator by revenue, trailing only behind the GMR Group, which operates major airports in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa.
