- India’s most anticipated greenfield airport set to transform MMR aviation capacity
- Launch begins with 23 daily departures; full 24×7 operations from February 2026
- IndiGo to operate first arrival and departure; Air India Express and Akasa Air to follow
- CISF inducted; ORAT trials in full swing to ensure a flawless passenger experience
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, NOV 18
India’s newest aviation landmark — Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) — will officially begin commercial operations on 25 December 2025, marking a historic expansion of air connectivity for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The airport, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 October, is set for a carefully calibrated, safety-first operational rollout designed to deliver world-class travel from day one.
A Christmas Day Take-Off for India’s Newest Global Gateway
Beginning 25 December, NMIA will commence with 12-hour daily operations, between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM, featuring 23 scheduled daily departures and up to 10 aircraft movements per hour. This thoughtfully phased launch aims to stabilise operations, enhance passenger experience, and ramp up airline readiness at the new hub.
The first-ever arrival at NMIA will be IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru, touching down at 8:00 AM. Minutes later, IndiGo 6E882 to Hyderabad, scheduled for 8:40 AM, will mark the airport’s maiden outbound departure.
During the initial phase, passengers will be able to connect to 16 major domestic destinations, with IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air leading the first wave of operations.
Full-Scale, 24×7 Operations from February 2026
From 1 February 2026, NMIA will switch to round-the-clock operations, expanding to:
| Operational Phase | Total Daily Departures |
| 25 Dec 2025 – 31 Jan 2026 | 23 |
| 1 Feb 2026 onwards | 34 |
With capacity designed to support approximately 120 air traffic movements (ATMs) daily in the early stages, NMIA is poised to significantly ease congestion at Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and unlock new growth opportunities for airlines and travellers.
ORAT Trials, CISF Induction Ensure a Ready-for-Launch Airport
In line with global best practices, NMIA is undergoing intensive Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) trials, ensuring the highest preparedness across:
- Terminal operations
- Baggage handling
- Passenger processing systems
- Security protocols
- Airline coordination
- Airside and ground operations
Adding a critical layer of safety and preparedness, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) — India’s elite airport security agency — was formally inducted on 29 October 2025, with full deployment across the terminal, perimeter, and airside security zones.
A New Chapter for India’s Aviation Ecosystem
The launch of NMIA marks a major milestone in India’s aviation growth story, bolstering capacity in one of the country’s busiest regions and positioning Mumbai as a strengthened dual-airport metropolitan hub.
With its greenfield infrastructure, integrated multi-modal connectivity, and phased, precision-driven launch strategy, NMIA is expected to emerge as a next-generation gateway supporting business travel, cargo, tourism, and long-term economic expansion across western India.
