IndiGo and Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) have officially announced the commencement of commercial flights from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which is expected to open later this year. IndiGo will make history as the first airline to operate from the new airport. The airline had already conducted a successful trial flight test at NMIA in December last year.
Starting with 18 daily departures and 36 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs), IndiGo plans to connect 15 cities from day one of operations. The airline aims to expand its services rapidly, with projections to increase to 79 daily departures (158 ATMs), including 14 international flights, by November 2025. This will further rise to 100 daily departures (200 ATMs) by March 2026 and ultimately reach 140 daily departures (280 ATMs) with 30 international flights by November 2026.
Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, highlighted the partnership as a significant milestone in achieving full operational readiness at NMIA, emphasizing IndiGo’s commitment to expanding both domestic and international routes from the new airport.
NMIA is designed to handle 20 million passengers and 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo annually upon initial completion. Its full capacity aims to accommodate 90 million passengers and 3.2 million metric tonnes of cargo per year, positioning it as a major aviation hub in India.
Arun Bansal, CEO of AAHL, remarked on the partnership, calling it a major step toward establishing NMIA as a key transfer hub for both domestic and international travelers.
While the inauguration date of NMIA has not yet been officially announced, state authorities are reportedly planning to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the event. The airport’s launch was initially scheduled for June, with operations expected to begin by August 15, but this timeline has been delayed.
This strategic partnership between IndiGo and AAHL is expected to play a crucial role in India’s ambition to become the third-largest aviation economy by 2030, fueling growth and connectivity across the country and beyond.
Sources By Agencies
