23 December,2025 07:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Planned as a modern Greenfield airport, NMIA is CIDCO’s most ambitious project to date. File Pic
The launch of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) marks a historic moment for Maharashtra and with its first commercial flight scheduled for December 25, 2025, the long-awaited airport is set to become a new gateway for Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Developed by the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd. (CIDCO), the airport reflects years of planning, perseverance and coordinated execution, an official statement said.
It is expected to significantly reduce congestion at Mumbai's existing airport and strengthen the multi-airport system in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Ahead of the start of the airport operations, Vijay Singhal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of CIDCO, said that the beginning of operations at NMIA highlights the Maharashtra Government's continued focus on infrastructure-led growth.
He described the airport as a symbol of futuristic development, inclusive growth and global connectivity, and congratulated the people of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra and the entire country on the achievement.
Planned as a modern Greenfield airport, NMIA is CIDCO's most ambitious project to date. From concept to commissioning, the airport showcases engineering excellence, sustainability-focused design and seamless coordination between multiple agencies.
Once fully operational, NMIA will play a key role in easing pressure on Mumbai's existing airport while supporting future growth in air traffic.
CIDCO has also acknowledged the contribution of the Adani Group and Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (NMIAL) in delivering the airport's lotus-inspired terminal.
The statement said that the terminal design reflects India's cultural heritage while incorporating sustainability, innovation and world-class architectural standards. Authorities said the strong collaboration between the Maharashtra Government, CIDCO, Adani Group and NMIAL was central to the successful completion of the project.
The airport is expected to transform regional mobility and economic development. Residents of Navi Mumbai will benefit from reduced travel time and improved global connectivity.
People from Pune, Thane, Panvel, Raigad and the Konkan region are also likely to gain faster and easier access to domestic and international flights. The project is expected to create jobs, boost tourism and attract major investments.
NMIA has been designed with seamless multimodal connectivity. It is connected through expressways, arterial roads, suburban rail networks, metro corridors and upcoming mass transit systems.
Key infrastructure such as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), national highways and dedicated airport access roads will ensure smooth last-mile connectivity, making NMIA one of the most accessible airports in India.
On its first day of operations on December 25, 2025, the airport will handle-
Total Operations: 30 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs)
Airlines: IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express and Star Air
Key Flights:
First Arrival: IndiGo flight 6E 460 from Bengaluru at 8 am
First Departure: IndiGo flight 6E 882 to Hyderabad at 8.40 am
