India’s Navi Mumbai International Airport set to open: Launch date, first flights, routes and fares
Flight bookings open for India’s newest airport: What flyers need to know
Dubai: India’s newest airport, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), will begin commercial flights on December 25, 2025, following its inauguration on October 8 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Developed jointly by CIDCO and Adani Airports Holdings Ltd. at a cost of ₹196.5 billion ($2.22 billion), the airport aims to ease congestion at Mumbai’s CSMIA and enhance connectivity across Maharashtra.
Akasa Air, IndiGo, and Air India Express will start operations, with Akasa Air launching around 100 weekly flights initially and IndiGo operating 18 daily departures, both set to scale up rapidly. Light bookings are now open via the airlines’ websites and apps.
Handling 20 million passengers annually
NMIA, designed as Mumbai’s second major aviation hub, will initially handle 20 million passengers per year and offer smoother connections for business and leisure travelers.
The airport features modern infrastructure, advanced security, and eco-friendly systems such as solar power, rainwater harvesting, and smart waste management. By expanding flight options and improving regional accessibility, NMIA is set to boost tourism, domestic travel, and India’s position as a growing aviation hub.
Everything you need to know about Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), from launch date and flights to key features and regional impact.
When will NMIA open?
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) will officially open on 25 December 2025, following its inauguration on 8 October 2025. Domestic flights will start first, gradually easing congestion at Mumbai’s main airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
Where is it located?
The airport is in Panvel, Navi Mumbai, around 46km from CSMIA and 120km from Pune. The new Mumbai-Pune Expressway link road will cut travel time from Pune by roughly two and a half hours.
How big is NMIA?
Spread across 1,160 hectares, NMIA is India’s largest greenfield airport.
Phase 1: One terminal, one runway, handling 20 million passengers annually.
Future plans: Four terminals and two parallel runways, eventually handling 90 million passengers and 3.25 million tonnes of cargo per year.
How many terminals and runways will it have?
Currently: One terminal and one runway.
Planned VVIP terminal: Construction starts in 2026, completion expected by 2030.
Full setup: Three passenger terminals and two parallel runways.
What does the airport look like?
Design: Lotus-inspired architecture by Zaha Hadid Architects – roof mimics petals, central atrium resembles a pond, concourses radiate outward.
Technology: India’s first fully digital airport with facial recognition, biometric e-gates, and smart baggage systems.
Sustainability: 47 MW solar power, EV-based transport, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.
Which airlines will operate from NMIA?
Akasa Air: First commercial flight on 25 Dec (Delhi–Navi Mumbai QP 1831, departs 5.25am). Other routes: Goa (Mopa), Kochi, Ahmedabad. Delhi fares start around ₹6,000.
IndiGo: Launches 25 Dec, serving 10 cities, starting with 18 daily departures to 15 cities, expanding to 100+ flights by Nov 2026.
Air India Express: 20 daily flights to 15 cities, scaling up to 55 (including 5 international) by mid-2026.
How is security managed?
CISF deployment: 900 personnel in Phase 1, rising to 1,800 as operations grow.
Safety features: Advanced surveillance, automated entry checks, and passenger-screening systems.
How can passengers reach NMIA?
By road: Sion-Panvel Highway, Palm Beach Road, Amra Marg (NH348A), NH548.
From South Mumbai: Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) connects to Ulwe.
Future route: Ulwe Coastal Road will link western Mumbai directly to the airport.
What impact will NMIA have?
Will reduce pressure on CSMIA.
Boost business, tourism, and regional connectivity.
Experts predict it could become one of Asia’s top aviation hubs in a few years.
What are the airport codes?
IATA: NMI
ICAO: VANM
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