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Air India Group to Begin Operations from Navi Mumbai Airport with 20 Daily Flights
- Ajjay Bhagyakar
- Sep 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 1
The countdown has begun! As the highly anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) prepares for inauguration at the end of this month, the aviation landscape of Mumbai is about to change forever.
Following in the footsteps of IndiGo and Akasa Air, the Air India Group has announced its plans to launch operations from NMIA, starting with 20 daily flights (40 ATMs) through its low-cost carrier, Air India Express, connecting 15 Indian cities right from Day One.
Air India Group’s Game Plan for NMIA ( Air India Navi Mumbai Airport )
Phase 1 (Late 2025): 20 daily departures connecting 15 domestic cities.
Mid-2026 Expansion: Scale up to 55 daily flights (110 ATMs), including 5 international services.
Winter 2026 Vision: Aiming for 60 daily flights (120 ATMs) to key domestic and global destinations.
While the initial services will be handled by Air India Express, aviation experts believe that the flagship carrier Air India will soon join operations at NMIA as the hub grows.
Mumbai Joins the League of Dual-Airport Cities
With NMIA set to complement the capacity-constrained Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai will officially join the ranks of global cities with dual-airport systems—a milestone soon to be followed by Delhi-NCR with the Noida International Airport.
“Mumbai joins the league of world cities with more than one airport. We look forward to building NMIA as a global transit hub for both passengers and cargo,”– Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India
Competition Heats Up: IndiGo & Akasa Already in the Race
IndiGo: Announced 18 daily flights from Day One, scaling to 140 daily flights (including 30 international) in 18 months.
Akasa Air: Starting with 15 daily domestic flights (100+ per week), ramping up to 300 domestic and 50 international flights within months.
This sets the stage for fierce competition among India’s top airlines, making Navi Mumbai Airport a buzzing hub right from the start.
The Scale of Navi Mumbai International Airport
Total area: 1,160 hectares
Launch capacity: 20 million passengers annually + 0.5 million tonnes of freight
Future capacity: 90 million passengers annually + 3.2 million tonnes of cargo
Unique design: Inspired by the lotus flower, built with eco-friendly and sustainable infrastructure
Ownership: Adani Airports (74%) + CIDCO (26%)
Why This Matters for Mumbai & India
Relieves pressure on Mumbai’s congested CSMIA.
Strengthens India’s position as a global aviation hub.
Enhances connectivity for passengers, cargo, and businesses.
Boosts real estate, infrastructure, and employment opportunities across Navi Mumbai & Panvel.
“Our goal is to make NMIA a benchmark in global aviation. This partnership with Air India Group will redefine Mumbai’s connectivity for decades to come.”– Arun Bansal, CEO, Adani Airport Holdings
Final Takeaway
The inauguration of Navi Mumbai International Airport is more than just an infrastructure milestone—it’s a revolution in how Mumbai will connect with the world.
With Air India Group, IndiGo, and Akasa Air leading the charge, NMIA is set to become India’s next big aviation powerhouse. For travelers, businesses, and investors, the sky’s the limit.
Written by: Ajjay Bhagyakar
Source: Indian Express
Posted by: Griha Realty
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