The long-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), inaugurated earlier this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is all set to commence commercial flight operations on December 25, 2025. Budget airline Akasa Air has announced that it will operate the first flight from Delhi to Navi Mumbai on this historic day, marking a significant milestone not only for the airline but also for India’s aviation sector.

Akasa Air will initially connect Navi Mumbai with four Indian cities—Delhi, Ahmedabad, Goa, and Kochi—and has started ticket bookings for these routes. The airline’s co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Praveen Iyer, described the commencement as a landmark moment that would enhance connectivity and bolster the dual-airport ecosystem in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

IndiGo is also launching its operations from NMIA on December 25, with plans to connect Navi Mumbai with ten cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Mangaluru. Though formal schedules are yet to be announced, IndiGo is expected to progressively expand its offerings from the new airport.

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The Air India Group, through its low-cost arm Air India Express, will be a major player at NMIA, planning to operate 20 daily departures initially connecting 15 Indian cities, including Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru. The group aims to further scale up operations with increased daily flights and the introduction of international services.

With an annual passenger capacity projected at 20 million in its first phase and plans for multi-modal connectivity, the NMIA is poised to become a vital aviation hub, easing the pressure on Mumbai’s existing airport and providing travelers with enhanced options and convenience.

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