Navi Mumbai: The long-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) formally entered India’s aviation map today as it began commercial flight operations, ushering in a new era of air connectivity for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The airport’s inaugural commercial arrival — **IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru — touched down at 8 am, marking NMIA’s first operational milestone. The aircraft was welcomed with a ceremonial water cannon salute, a traditional aviation gesture reserved for landmark occasions.
How infrastructure earns trust
Trust in big projects isn’t built by announcements.
It’s built when things start working.Flights landed. Flights departed. Passengers moved. Systems held.
With @Gautam_Adani present as #NaviMumbaiInternationalAirport went live,… pic.twitter.com/MAj6hyjFrW
— Sanjay Kumar Sinha (@sinha2300) December 25, 2025
Soon after, the airport logged its first departure as another IndiGo flight lifted off for Hyderabad, completing NMIA’s first arrival-departure cycle and signalling the start of regular airline activity.
Phased Launch, Multiple Airlines
Commercial operations have begun in a phased manner, with select domestic flights operating during daytime hours. Several airlines are expected to progressively expand services, connecting Navi Mumbai with major metro and regional destinations across the country.
Congratulations to the people of Maharashtra and especially Mumbai, on the commencement of operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport today.
With this historic milestone, Mumbai becomes India’s first true double-airport metropolis—made possible by the synergy of the… pic.twitter.com/HfYK3XhV7Z
— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) December 25, 2025
Easing Mumbai’s Aviation Burden
Developed to decongest Mumbai’s saturated primary airport, NMIA is designed as a second aviation hub for the region. Located in Raigad district, the new airport is expected to significantly enhance passenger capacity, improve operational efficiency, and reduce delays caused by airspace congestion.
Built for the Future
The first phase of NMIA includes a modern terminal and a single runway, with an initial capacity of around 20 million passengers annually. Authorities plan to scale up operations in stages, including a transition to round-the-clock services in the coming months, as infrastructure and traffic volumes expand.
A Major Boost to Regional Growth
Aviation experts view the launch as a strategic breakthrough for India’s civil aviation sector, with far-reaching benefits for tourism, trade, and employment. For flyers, NMIA promises shorter travel times, more flight options, and a long-term solution to Mumbai’s growing air traffic demands.
With its first commercial flight safely home, Navi Mumbai International Airport has officially taken off — and with it, the next chapter of India’s aviation growth story.
