After years of anticipation and construction delays, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has finally gained a crucial second aviation gateway. The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) officially commenced its commercial operations on Thursday, December 25, 2025, marking a historic milestone for India's aviation infrastructure.
Inaugural Flights and Day One Operations
The first commercial aircraft to touch down at the new airport was an IndiGo flight. Flight 6E460 from Bengaluru landed at 8:00 AM, receiving a traditional water cannon salute to celebrate the significant event. Shortly after, at 8:40 AM, the airport witnessed its first departure with IndiGo flight 6E882 to Hyderabad, completing the inaugural arrival-departure cycle.
Operations on the opening day were scheduled between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. To ensure a smooth start, the terminal opened early at 6:40 AM for departing passengers. A total of four airlines—IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express, and Star Air—collectively handled approximately 30 domestic arrivals and departures. The first day featured 15 scheduled departures connecting to nine different domestic destinations.
Capacity and Infrastructure to Decongest Mumbai
The launch of NMIA is a strategic move to alleviate severe congestion at the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, which currently manages nearly 950 flights in a 24-hour period. The new airport begins operations with Terminal 1 and a single operational runway, offering an initial annual passenger handling capacity of 20 million, with the flexibility to accommodate an additional 2-3 million travelers.
Passenger experience has been prioritized with modern amenities. The airport features Digi Yatra-enabled contactless processing alongside conventional check-in counters. Retail and food and beverage outlets have been curated to offer affordable options catering to local preferences.
Strategic Location and Future Expansion Plans
Strategically located, NMIA is situated approximately 35–50 km from North and South Mumbai and about 35–45 km from the eastern suburbs. It is accessible via multiple road networks across the MMR. The airport authorities have outlined a phased expansion plan, aiming to scale up to 24 daily departures covering 13 destinations. Furthermore, round-the-clock operations are planned to begin by February 2026.
The operationalization of NMIA is a transformative development for the region's connectivity. It not only provides much-needed relief to the saturated Mumbai airport but also positions the MMR for sustained economic growth by enhancing its air travel infrastructure and capacity for the future.
