Navi Mumbai International Airport begins commercial operations

India’s aviation capacity received a major boost on December 25, 2025, as Navi Mumbai International Airport welcomed its first commercial flight, with an IndiGo service from Bengaluru marking the formal start of operations at the Adani Group-led greenfield airport.

Update: 2025-12-25 12:40 GMT
Picture courtesy : X

December 25th 2025: Navi Mumbai International Airport officially began commercial operations on Thursday (25 December) with the landing of its first commercial passenger flight, marking a major milestone for India’s aviation sector. IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru touched down at 8 am and was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute, symbolising the formal opening of flight operations at the new airport. 


Before the historic first commercial landing, IndiGo staff marked the occasion by cutting a cake and performing coconut-breaking rituals, following customary Indian traditions. Shortly after the first arrival, the airport recorded its inaugural departure when IndiGo flight 6E882 left for Hyderabad at 8.40 am. In a social media post, the Adani Group-led NMIAL described the launch as the beginning of a new phase for Indian aviation, stating that the airport is designed to handle up to 90 million passengers annually in its final phase and expand aviation capacity for Mumbai and beyond."


A new era for Indian aviation takes shape. After years of planning and execution, Navi Mumbai International Airport stands ready to welcome its first flight. Built to serve 90 million passengers annually by the final phase, NMIA is set to unlock new possibilities not just for Mumbai, but for the entire nation," The NMIAL said,The airport has been developed under a Public-Private Partnership by Adani Airports Holdings and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra, with a focus on catering to both first-time flyers as well as frequent corporate passengers.The project was first proposed in 1997 by CIDCO, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid its foundation stone in 2018, accelerating its long-planned development.The airport was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 October earlier this year.Since 2021, Adani Airports Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), has overseen construction and operational readiness, taking the greenfield airport from rapid development to phased commercial operations. After nearly eight years, including delays during the pandemic, the airport is now operational, featuring a lotus-inspired terminal design that blends cultural identity, modern architecture and sustainability elements.The start of operations at the new airport is expected to ease congestion at Mumbai’s existing airport and significantly enhance aviation capacity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
This article was authored by Akanksha Sudham, an intern from Deccan Chronicle.


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