The airline plans to increase operations to 150 daily movements by November 2025, including 14 international departures, and further to 200 by March 2026.

MUMBAI: IndiGo will be the first airline to commence commercial flight operations from the new Navi Mumbai airport with over 18 dailydepartures and 18 arrivals to and from over 15 cities from day one, said Navi Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (NMIA) and IndiGo in a joint statement issued on Wednesday. IndiGo will increase the 36 total flight movements per day to 150 flight movements (79 departures and 79 daily arrivals each), which will include 14 international departures by the beginning of November 2025, the companies added. This will further scale up to over 100 daily departures (200 ATMs) by March 2026. By November 2026, the operations will be further built up to 140 daily departures (280 departures and arrivals), including 30 international departures.The airport operator did not give a date for the inauguration of the airport or the commencement of scheduled passenger flight operations, which typically takes place 3-4 weeks after the formal inauguration. A NOTAM (notice) issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) last week stated that the Navi Mumbai runway will not be available for flights till August 07.Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said: “IndiGo will be the inaugural airline to operate from NMIA, and we couldn’t be more pleased to announce this. Our alliance signals towards achievement of complete operational readiness on both sides to take next steps. This expansion underscores our dedication to catering to the evolving needs of our aspirational travellers and further contributing to the growth of India’s booming aviation sector. The new flights from the brand-new NMIA will elevate the travel experience of our customers while enjoying affordable, on-time, hassle-free services on our unparalleled network.”Commenting on the partnership, Arun Bansal, CEO, AAHL, said, “We are delighted to announce IndiGo as the first airline partner to commence operations from NMIA. This partnership marks a major step towards confirming NMIA’s position as a transfer hub for domestic and international travellers. Together, we are poised to transform the travel experience for millions of passengers, providing them both convenience and enhanced travel options. Our collaboration is set to strengthen NMIA’s role as an aviation gateway for the region and for travellers nationally and internationally.” In its initial phase, NMIA is set to handle 20 million passengers and 0.5 MMT of cargo per annum, with the capacity to serve 90 million passengers and 3.2 MMT of cargo per annum once complete. “The launch of NMIA will create a dual-airport system for the financial capital of the country, enabling the de-congestion of Mumbai airport and enhancing the overall passenger experience. The augmented capacity offered by both airports will offer unparalleled economic growth for the Mumbai region and Maharashtra. This partnership is set to unlock new opportunities, foster collaboration, and strengthen NMIA’s role as a key enabler of India’s aviation future, focused on meeting the evolving needs of travellers,” said the airport. Spanning over 1,160 hectares (2,866 acres), on completion, NMIA is designed to handle 90 million passengers per annum (MPPA). The airport will feature two parallel runways, state-of-the-art terminal buildings, and advanced cargo facilities, ensuring a seamless passenger experience and efficient cargo handling.Navi Mumbai International Airport Private Limited (NMIAL) is a special purpose vehicle established for the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of the greenfield international airport project at Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. NMIAL is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a subsidiary of Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), which holds the majority stake of 74 percent, while the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO), a govt of Maharashtra undertaking, holds the remaining 26 percent. In the initial phase, NMIA will have the capacity to manage 20 MPPA and 0.8 million metric tonnes of cargo annually.