Adani’ Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Navi Mumbai International Airport Commences Commercial Operations: Mumbai, December 25, 2025: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) officially began commercial operations today with the arrival of its first flight, IndiGo 6E460 from Bengaluru, which received a ceremonial water cannon salute—an enduring aviation tradition marking a new chapter in India’s civil aviation.
The inauguration marks a significant milestone for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), expanding air travel capacity and establishing a true multi-airport system for one of India’s busiest aviation hubs. With NMIA operational, Mumbai joins global cities such as London, New York, Moscow, Tokyo, and Shanghai, which rely on multiple airports to meet growing demand.
Developed and operated by Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, NMIA is among India’s largest greenfield airport projects. The airport has been conceived to decongest Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) while providing scalable infrastructure for future aviation growth.
READ: LVM3-M6 Mission Demonstrates World-Class Reliability with Successful Deployment of Heaviest Payload
On its first day, NMIA handled 48 flights connecting nine domestic destinations, serving over 4,000 passengers, with peak traffic between 05:00 and 07:00 hours. Chairman Gautam Adani personally welcomed passengers from the inaugural flight and interacted with airport staff, frontline workers, and first-time flyers. The launch concluded with a ceremonial walk through the departure terminal, a flag-hoisting ceremony led by Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Bana Singh and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, followed by the national anthem.
Sports personalities including Suryakumar Yadav, Mithali Raj, and Sunil Chhetri, along with social influencers Malini Agarwal and Viraj Ghelani, attended the event. Cultural performances featuring traditional Maharashtrian Lezim, Dhol, and Tutari highlighted the region’s heritage. Special chartered flights offered first-ever aerial experiences to farmers, underprivileged families, and differently-abled passengers. India Post also issued a commemorative First Flight Carried Special Cover featuring the NMIA terminal, flown on an IndiGo service to Goa.
Jeet Adani, Director of AAHL, noted that NMIA strengthens the MMR’s multi-airport system, enhances passenger experience, and prepares the region for future aviation demand. The eve of operations featured a spectacular drone display with 1,515 synchronized drones, themed Rise of India, depicting a 3D lotus, the airport’s design, sustainability motifs, and a soaring aircraft.
Chairman Gautam Adani described the inauguration as “a proud day for Mumbai and for India,” emphasizing NMIA as a symbol of ambition, purpose-driven execution, and the nation’s forward momentum.
With its commercial operations now underway, NMIA positions Mumbai and India to rise and fly higher, creating a new gateway for domestic and international air travel.
READ: India’s Adani Group Plans Expansion into Aircraft MRO and Freighter Conversion Services
