Navi Mumbai International Airport to Begin Operations on December 25

Navi Mumbai International Airport will commence commercial flight operations on December 25, marking a major expansion of aviation capacity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Two airlines, Akasa Air and IndiGo, have opened bookings for multiple domestic routes ahead of the launch.

First Phase Flight Schedule

In the initial phase, the airport will operate flights between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., handling around 100–110 flights daily. IndiGo’s Bengaluru–Navi Mumbai service is scheduled to be the first commercial arrival at 8 a.m. Airport authorities expect 8–10 departures per hour during the launch period.

Airline Routes Announced

Akasa Air will connect Navi Mumbai with Delhi, Kochi, Ahmedabad and Goa (Mopa). IndiGo has announced ten destinations, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangalore and Nagpur, alongside Delhi, Kochi, Goa and Ahmedabad. Daily operations are planned for most routes, though some Akasa Air services will run on reduced frequencies.

Capacity Expansion Plans

Akasa Air aims to scale up to 300 domestic and 50 international weekly departures from Navi Mumbai over time. The airline plans to increase its parking bases to ten by FY27 as part of its broader network expansion into key Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian destinations. Air India Express is expected to announce its schedule later.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Flight operations at Navi Mumbai Airport begin on December 25.
• Initial capacity is around 100–110 flights per day.
• IndiGo’s Bengaluru service will be the first commercial arrival.
• Akasa Air and IndiGo have opened bookings across multiple domestic routes.

Strengthening Regional Connectivity

The new airport is expected to ease pressure on Mumbai’s existing aviation infrastructure and enhance connectivity across western and southern India. Airlines anticipate strong demand from business and leisure travellers, reinforcing Navi Mumbai’s emerging role as a regional aviation hub.