Mumbai Enters a New Aviation Era as Navi Mumbai International Airport Begins Operations

A Dual-Airport Future Takes Shape in Mumbai

Mumbai has formally entered a new phase in its aviation journey with the commencement of commercial flight operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport on December 26, 2025. The development positions Mumbai as India’s first city to operate two functional airports simultaneously, alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The launch of Navi Mumbai International Airport aims to address capacity constraints in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region while improving access for travellers from Navi Mumbai, Panvel, Raigad, and neighbouring districts. The airport is expected to play a key role in redistributing air traffic and easing pressure on Mumbai’s primary aviation gateway.

Domestic operations have commenced with four airlines—IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and Star Air—connecting the airport to multiple cities across India. Current routes include Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad, Cochin, Nagpur, Lucknow, Mangaluru, and Jaipur. Routes to Delhi are seeing the highest activity in the opening phase, with three daily flights operating on the sector.

IndiGo is among the first major carriers to begin services from the new airport, launching flights to thirteen domestic destinations. Operations began with the arrival of a flight from Bengaluru, followed by a departure to Hyderabad on the same day. Air India Express has also initiated services, starting with Bengaluru and Delhi, with plans to increase frequencies from January 1, 2026.

A Day One Passenger Experience

Early passenger experience at Navi Mumbai International Airport reflects both scale and the realities of phased operations. Sunil Dutt, President, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, who travelled through the airport on its first day, noted that while the drive from Palm Beach Road was smooth, the approach signage required improvement. “The signage on the road leading up to the airport was confusing,” he said, suggesting more explicit directional guidance closer to the terminal.

Inside the airport, the terminal’s size and layout stood out, despite parts of the infrastructure still under construction. “It’s still not complete, though the expanse and size do look good,” Dutt observed. Entry points were wide, DigiYatra functioned smoothly, and overall movement through the terminal was comfortable. Minor glitches were noted at one security screening belt, and security checkpoint capacity will need to scale as passenger volumes increase.

Retail and dining options were limited on day one, with only a few outlets operational. Seating near boarding gates was functional, with shared charging points available, though housekeeping issues were visible in isolated areas. Boarding procedures followed standard airline processes, with some inaugural gestures for passengers. From a technology standpoint, mobile network coverage was inconsistent, leading to absence of mobility network brands on free airport Wi-Fi.

The departure experience offered a contrasting highlight. “The best part came upon take-off,” Dutt said, pointing to views of surrounding hillocks, the terminal complex, the sea, Atal Setu, and Navi Mumbai’s newer developments. He noted that the surrounding landscape presented a cleaner visual impression compared to Mumbai’s existing airport.

Summing up the experience, Dutt described day one operations as balanced rather than definitive. “Overall experience was neither overwhelming nor underwhelming; it just left me agnostic,” he said, rating the opening-day experience at six out of ten, with expectations of improvement as operations mature.

With phased expansion underway, the airport is positioned to improve efficiency and choice for travellers as services, connectivity, and infrastructure continue to scale over time.

Positioning Among India’s Major Aviation Hubs

India’s leading aviation hubs - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Terminal Two in Mumbai, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, and Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, offer integrated terminals or multi-terminal networks, extensive domestic and international connectivity, organised retail and dining zones, multiple lounges, and improved surface transport links.

As Navi Mumbai International Airport scales up, travellers can expect a similar ecosystem to emerge in phases, including expanded route networks, structured passenger services, retail and food zones, and improved road and planned rail connectivity. Positioned as a complementary gateway rather than a replacement, the airport is set to become a critical part of Mumbai’s long-term aviation infrastructure while supporting growth across logistics, tourism, and allied sectors.