Published Date: November 19, 2025
Mumbai’s long-awaited second airport is finally ready to welcome passengers. Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has officially confirmed that it will begin commercial operations on December 25, 2025, marking a major milestone for aviation in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
For years, the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has been operating under heavy pressure. The launch of NMIA is expected to ease congestion and offer travelers a smoother, more efficient flying experience.
How the Airport Will Begin Operations
To ensure a steady and safe start, the airport will introduce services gradually:
Operating Hours: For the first month, NMIA will run on a 12-hour schedule from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Flight Movements: Operations will begin with 23 scheduled departures per day, with a maximum of 10 movements per hour.
Airlines on Day One: IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air will be the first carriers to operate from the new terminal.
Route Network: Travellers will get direct connections to 16 major domestic destinations during the initial phase.
First Flights and What’s Next
The first aircraft to arrive at NMIA will be IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru, landing at 8:00 AM. Soon after, at 8:40 AM, IndiGo 6E882 will depart to Hyderabad, marking the airport’s first outbound service.
Plans for further growth are already in motion:
24/7 Operations from February 2026: The airport will switch to round-the-clock services within two months of launch.
More Daily Flights: Scheduled departures will increase to 34 per day as operations expand.
Ahead of the opening, the airport team has been completing detailed ORAT (Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer) trials. Security operations have also begun with the induction of the CISF to ensure a secure and seamless start during the festive season.