The newly inaugurated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is expected to begin commercial operations from December 25, as two major airlines — IndiGo and Akasa Air — have officially announced their first routes from the state-of-the-art facility.
On Saturday (November 15), IndiGo revealed that it will launch domestic flights connecting 10 major Indian cities, marking one of the largest operational openings for any new airport in the country. The routes will be added progressively, with the first set of flights beginning on Christmas Day.
Akasa Air also confirmed that it will commence operations from NMIA starting December 25, initiating its first flight between Delhi and Navi Mumbai, followed by services to Goa, Kochi, and Ahmedabad in the following days.
IndiGo’s Big Expansion Plan
IndiGo stated that its operations will expand in phases, eventually adding more direct routes for enhanced connectivity. The 10 cities included in the first phase are:
- Delhi
- Bengaluru
- Hyderabad
- Ahmedabad
- Lucknow
- North Goa (Mopa)
- Jaipur
- Nagpur
- Cochin
- Mangalore
The airline emphasized that NMIA will ease congestion at Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and support growing air travel demand in the wider MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region).
Akasa Air’s Growth Roadmap
Akasa Air, which is rapidly expanding its domestic footprint, said NMIA will serve as a crucial hub. Over time, the airline aims to scale up to:
- 300 domestic departures per week
- 50 international weekly departures
About the New Airport
Spread across 1,160 hectares, NMIA features:
- One runway & one terminal in Phase 1
- Capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually
- Construction cost: ₹19,650 crore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport on October 8 this year. Designed to complement the existing Mumbai airport, NMIA is expected to boost regional connectivity and support western India’s economic growth.
India’s Fastest-Growing Airline Market Prepares for Lift-Off
IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, currently operates more than 2,300 daily flights across 130+ destinations with a fleet of 409 aircraft. The airline’s early move into Navi Mumbai signals confidence in the airport’s long-term strategic importance.
With IndiGo and Akasa both on board, NMIA appears set to become operational from Christmas 2025, marking a major milestone for Mumbai’s aviation infrastructure.
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