NMIA’s Launch Is Around the Corner — What to Know Before You Fly ✈️

The wait is almost over. The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), set to become Mumbai’s second major airport, is slated to begin commercial operations on 25 December 2025. mint+2The Hans India+2

The airport was formally inaugurated on 8 October 2025 — after decades of planning and construction — marking a significant milestone for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). mint+1

Opening Phase: What to Expect

• NMIA will start with 23 scheduled daily departures, with up to 10 flight-movements per hour. Operating hours initially will be 08:00–20:00 (i.e. a 12-hour daily window). mint+2Business Standard+2

• First flights: The inaugural arrival is scheduled to be IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru at 08:00, and the first departure will be IndiGo 6E882 to Hyderabad at 08:40. Hindustan Times+2www.ndtv.com+2

• Initial operators: Flights will start with IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express — partly fulfilling earlier commitments. mint+2Hindustan Times+2

Airlines, Routes & Future Expansion — What’s on the Table

Despite early optimism, the launch phase will be more modest than originally announced: 23 daily departures instead of some of the ambitious numbers earlier proposed. mint+2The Indian Express+2

What each airline will be doing initially:

• IndiGo — connecting NMIA to major domestic destinations including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, North Goa (Mopa), Jaipur, Nagpur, Cochin, and Mangalore. 67 weekly frequencies initially. mint+2The Economic Times+2

• Akasa Air — launching with daily flights to Delhi and Goa (Mopa), then gradually ramping up to include Kochi and, towards end-December, Ahmedabad. Over the coming months, the airline plans a broader scaling up of operations via NMIA. mint+2mint+2

• Air India Express — commencing services with daily flights to Bengaluru and a nearly 5-times-a-week schedule to Delhi. Plans are in place to scale up to 12 weekly flights to Delhi and increased flights to Bengaluru from January 2026. mint+2Hindustan Times+2

What’s next

• From February 2026, NMIA is expected to expand to 34 daily departures, and increase operational hours — likely moving towards full/24×7 schedule. mint+2Business Standard+2

• As the airport becomes fully operational and amenities ramp up (customs, immigration, night operations, etc.), more airlines and routes — including potential international flights — may come on board. mint+2mint+2

What NMIA Means for Mumbai & MMR — A Larger Connectivity Boost

• Relief for Mumbai’s main airport — With NMIA coming online, the overburdened legacy airport will have breathing room. The dual-airport model will ease traffic, reduce flight delays and better distribute passenger traffic across the region. Business Standard+1

• Enhanced regional real estate & development potential — Improved air connectivity often catalyzes growth in surrounding areas. For Navi Mumbai region — residential, commercial and infrastructure development could see fresh momentum.

• Better travel & convenience for travellers across MMR — For people living in Navi Mumbai, Thane, Panvel and nearby suburbs, the proximity of NMIA will cut commuting time compared to going to the main Mumbai airport.

Conclusion NMIA’s Launch Is Around the Corner — What to Know Before You Fly

NMIA’s Launch Is Around the Corner — What to Know Before You Fly.

The upcoming launch of NMIA on 25 December 2025 marks a landmark shift for Mumbai’s aviation and connectivity landscape. While the opening phase will be modest — with 23 daily flights and 12-hour operations — the long-term vision points to a fully functional, high-capacity airport serving millions, decongesting existing hubs, and boosting regional mobility.

For Mumbaikars — and especially for those in Navi Mumbai, Thane or western-suburban belts — NMIA represents not just a new airport, but a gateway to easier travel, better connectivity, and renewed growth potential for the region.

Author: Ajjay Bhagyakar — Published by Griha Realty

Source: LiveMint article