(NAVI MUMBAI, INDIA) Commercial flights from the Adani Group–led Navi Mumbai International Airport are set to begin in December 2025, following an official inauguration on October 8, 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ticket sales are expected to open by the end of October, giving passengers an early look at new domestic and international options that will run alongside Mumbai’s current network.
The initial schedule will roll out carefully. The airport plans to start with 8–12 flights every morning, then move to about 12 aircraft movements per hour during the first month of operations. As systems settle and demand builds, movements are planned to climb to 30 per hour within three months. Both domestic and international flights will be available from Day One, providing immediate relief to Mumbai’s saturated aviation market and giving airlines a second major gateway for Western India.
IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express are among the first carriers preparing to operate from Navi Mumbai International Airport, according to project timelines shared with airlines. The airport has secured its IATA code “NMI,” and carriers have begun using the code for internal scheduling and upcoming bookings. With ticket sales slated for late October, travelers will be able to compare fares and timings across two Mumbai airports well ahead of the first departures in December.
Phased Capacity and Network Growth
Phase 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport is designed for 20 million passengers per year, supported by a single runway and one terminal. That foundation will expand significantly over time.
At full build-out, planners project capacity of up to 90 million passengers annually, with four terminals and major cargo facilities designed to support a broader international network. The airport’s long-term plan includes ramping up frequencies on core domestic routes first and then scaling international service as capacity and slots increase.
Regional access is central to this growth. The Atal Setu bridge has cut travel time between South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to about 20 minutes, a change that should help both passengers and airline crews move more quickly between the city’s key business districts and the new airport. Planned metro extensions and a proposed high-speed rail corridor are expected to improve access as the airport scales, giving passengers additional options beyond road travel.
Why a Second Mumbai Airport Matters Now
Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is operating beyond its intended capacity, and delays ripple across carrier schedules, gates, and baggage systems. Navi Mumbai International Airport was built to relieve congestion, add runway and terminal capacity, and support India’s fast-growing aviation market.
In the first phase, airlines will prioritize key domestic routes that carry the most demand. International growth will follow as infrastructure and crew bases expand, allowing carriers to plan long-haul and regional links from Navi Mumbai in a more orderly way.
The governance model is also clear:
- Adani Group: 74%
- CIDCO (Maharashtra government planning agency): 26%
This public–private split aligns with recent models used across India, inviting private investment in design, construction, and operations while maintaining public oversight and land planning. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this structure has helped accelerate large aviation projects while keeping long-term targets for passenger growth, cargo handling, and regional connectivity in focus.
Operational Rollout — Execution and Early Operations
The next few months will be about execution. Systems testing and staff training will continue through the inauguration and into the first wave of ticket sales. Airlines will map schedules between Navi Mumbai and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to prevent conflicts and to make better use of available gates across the two facilities.
In practice, early schedules at Navi Mumbai International Airport will look tight but controlled, with room to scale as crews and ground teams settle in.
Important dates for travelers:
– Inauguration: October 8, 2025
– Ticket sales: By the end of October 2025
– First commercial flights: December 2025
What to expect in the opening phase
- Day One operations
- Domestic and international flights available from launch.
- Initial carriers
- IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express are among the first to operate.
- First-month capacity
- Target of about 12 aircraft movements per hour.
- Scale-up target
- Move toward 20–30 movements per hour within three months.
- Phase 1 design
- One runway, one terminal, capacity for 20 million passengers per year.
- Future build-out
- Up to 90 million passengers per year, four terminals, and major cargo facilities.
- Access improvements
- Immediate benefits from Atal Setu bridge; future metro extensions and proposed high-speed rail to improve connectivity.
Impact on Travelers, Businesses, and Airlines
For travelers planning end-of-year trips, these dates provide clarity and advance planning options. Airlines will decide which routes shift to Navi Mumbai and which remain at the current Mumbai airport. The early pattern will focus on high-demand domestic links and select international flights that can move quickly into the new terminal.
This phased approach helps:
- Airlines manage crew rotation and ground handling.
- Service providers (check-in teams, security, baggage handlers) adjust to new layouts and workflows before traffic rises.
- Residents and businesses in eastern Mumbai suburbs enjoy shorter trips to the terminal and more point-to-point options over time.
- Airlines add frequencies without competing for scarce slots at the existing airport.
- The broader aviation ecosystem develop cargo growth and international connections aligned with India’s trade and tourism expansion.
Government Coordination and Oversight
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has outlined national priorities around capacity, safety, and regional connectivity, and Navi Mumbai International Airport fits squarely within those plans.
As the airport moves from inauguration to commercial service, regulators, airport operators, and airlines will closely track:
- On-time performance
- Passenger flows
- Ramp safety
This scrutiny will be especially intense through the first quarter after launch.
Key Takeaways
- Inauguration: October 8, 2025
- Ticket sales: By late October 2025
- Commercial flights start: December 2025
- Opening focus: 8–12 morning flights, ~12 movements/hour in month one, scaling to 20–30/hour within three months
- Phase 1 capacity: 20 million passengers/year (one runway, one terminal)
- Long-term: Up to 90 million passengers/year, four terminals, major cargo facilities
With the Adani Group steering development and operations, Navi Mumbai International Airport is positioned to relieve pressure on Mumbai’s existing hub and open a second door for both domestic and international travel from India’s financial capital.
This Article in a Nutshell
Navi Mumbai International Airport, developed by the Adani Group with CIDCO, will begin commercial flights in December 2025 after an official inauguration on October 8, 2025. Ticket sales are expected by late October. Phase 1 comprises a single runway and terminal designed for 20 million passengers annually, with long-term plans to reach 90 million passengers and four terminals. Early operations target 8–12 morning flights and roughly 12 aircraft movements per hour in the first month, scaling to 20–30 movements per hour within three months. IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express are among the initial carriers. Improved access via the Atal Setu bridge and future metro and high-speed rail projects will support passenger flows. Authorities will closely monitor on-time performance, passenger traffic, and ramp safety during the rollout.
