The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) officially entered the global aviation map on Thursday, December 25, 2025, as it commenced commercial operations on Christmas Day.
The launch marks a historic milestone for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), ending a decades-long wait for a second airport to support the city’s burgeoning travel demands. The project, described as a “Christmas gift” to Mumbaikars, is expected to significantly alleviate the heavy air traffic congestion at the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani arrived at the newly operational facility early Thursday morning to personally oversee the start of passenger services. Expressing immense pride, Adani hailed the airport as a landmark achievement, noting that the development was a privilege for the Adani Group. He emphasized that the new facility was designed to be world-class, specifically addressing the infrastructure crisis Mumbai has faced over the last decade. “The present Mumbai airport was actually fully jammed,” Adani remarked, highlighting that NMIA will finally provide the breathing room needed for smooth traffic movement in the region.
The historic first commercial landing occurred at 8:00 AM, when IndiGo flight 6E 460 from Bengaluru touched down on the runway. The aircraft was greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute, a traditional aviation honor reserved for landmark occasions. Before the arrival, IndiGo staff celebrated the moment with customary Indian rituals, including a cake-cutting ceremony and the breaking of a coconut. The operational cycle was completed shortly after when the airport recorded its first departure—IndiGo flight 6E 882 to Hyderabad—which took off at 8:40 AM.
The commencement of operations follows the airport’s formal inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8, fulfilling a vision first conceived by CIDCO in 1997. Developed as a public-private partnership (PPP) between Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (74%) and CIDCO (26%), the greenfield project overcame nearly three decades of delays and logistical challenges. The airport’s design is inspired by the lotus, India’s national flower, and incorporates sustainable, eco-friendly infrastructure intended to make it one of the most technologically advanced “green airports” in the country.
To celebrate the launch, a spectacular drone show featuring 1,515 drones illuminated the Navi Mumbai sky on the eve of the opening. The synchronised display featured 3D aerial formations including lotus blooms, the NMIA logo, and “Rise of India” imagery, reflecting the scale and ambition of the project. The show was witnessed by NMIA employees, young athletes, and specially-abled guests, marking the transition from a construction site to a functional gateway for the nation.
On its first day, NMIA is managing 30 domestic flights (15 arrivals and 15 departures) involving major carriers such as IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express, and Star Air. Currently, the airport operates within a 12-hour window from 8 AM to 8 PM, with plans to scale up to round-the-clock operations by February 2026. While the first phase handles 20 million passengers annually, the airport is ultimately designed to cater to 90 million passengers per year, positioning it as a critical hub for India’s financial capital.