Mumbai:

This figure is projected to rise to over 100 daily departures by March 2026 and reach 140 flights, with 30 international routes, by November of the same year. The launch represents a strategic milestone for both IndiGo and AAHL, underscoring the operational readiness of the new airport and the airline’s commitment to strengthening connectivity across India and beyond.

 India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is poised to become the first carrier to commence commercial operations at the newly constructed Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), with initial operations are scheduled to begin with 18 daily departures to more than 15 cities, resulting in a total of 36 aircraft movements each day. IndiGo plans to gradually expand its footprint, targeting 79 daily departures, including 14 international services, by November 2025. Adani Group addresses operational costs related concerns at NMIA

Despite the promising outlook, industry concerns have been raised about higher operational costs at NMIA. Airlines have expressed apprehension over elevated user development fees and landing charges, which may deter carriers from moving unless regulatory frameworks are harmonised.

To address these concerns, AAHL has approached the Indian government to request that NMIA and the existing airport be treated as a single economic unit for tariff regulation. The proposal draws on a 2021 amendment to the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) Act, which permits airport grouping to ensure equitable pricing and to support traffic growth at new facilities.

Navi Mumbai Airport to accommodate up to 90 million passengers

Notably, both the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and NMIA fall under the management of AAHL, giving the Adani Group comprehensive oversight of Mumbai’s air travel infrastructure. This dual control is expected to streamline services and facilitate a more coordinated passenger experience across the metropolitan region.

NMIA, constructed at a cost of USD 2.1 billion, is a flagship project of the Adani Group and a cornerstone in Mumbai’s evolving transport network. With its distinctive lotus-inspired terminal building, the airport will initially handle up to 20 million passengers annually. Plans are already in place for a phased expansion to accommodate up to 90 million passengers over the next decade, cementing Mumbai’s place among leading global aviation hubs such as Dubai, London and Singapore.

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