In a landmark event for Indian aviation, the long-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) commenced commercial operations on Thursday. This greenfield airport, conceived nearly three decades ago, aims to significantly decongest Mumbai's primary airport and boost the city's aviation capacity.
A Historic First Landing and Water Salute
The dawn of December 25th witnessed a historic moment as an IndiGo Airbus A320, arriving from Bengaluru, touched down at the new airport at 8 am. The aircraft was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute, officially marking the start of NMIA's journey. The first arrival, IndiGo flight 6E 460, was followed by the airport's maiden departure, IndiGo flight 6E 882 to Hyderabad at 8.40 am, completing the inaugural cycle.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani was present to welcome passengers from the first flight. He interacted with airport staff, frontline workers, and first-time flyers. Adani described it as "a proud day for Mumbai and for India," stating that NMIA represents a promise of what the nation can achieve with purposeful ambition and swift execution.
Strong Start with Multiple Airlines and Destinations
The airport hit the ground running on its opening day. A total of 48 flights were operated by IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and regional carrier Star Air. These flights connected nine domestic destinations and served over 4,000 passengers. Peak traffic was recorded between 5 am and 7 am, indicating robust early demand.
During the initial phase, NMIA will operate for 12 hours daily, from 8 am to 8 pm. It is scheduled to handle up to 24 daily departures to 13 destinations, with a capacity to manage 10 aircraft movements per hour. Operations are planned to scale up progressively, with round-the-clock services targeted from February next year.
IndiGo announced it will initially connect NMIA with 13 domestic cities between December 25 and 30, including Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa (Mopa), and Cochin.
A Milestone in Infrastructure and Global Hub Ambitions
The launch of NMIA is a critical expansion of Mumbai's aviation infrastructure. With this development, Mumbai now joins the league of global aviation hubs like London, New York, and Tokyo, which rely on multiple airports to cater to growing passenger demand.
The airport's inauguration was marked by several special initiatives. Farmers, underprivileged families, and colleagues with disabilities experienced their first-ever flight through a special chartered aerial tour of Mumbai. Additionally, India Post released a commemorative First Flight Carried Special Cover featuring the NMIA terminal, which was flown on an IndiGo service to Goa.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL), a special purpose vehicle, is developing the airport in multiple phases. The Adani Group holds a 74% stake in NMIAL, while the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) of Maharashtra owns the remaining 26%.
This operational launch, arriving after a 30-year journey from conception to reality, stands as a testament to a significant milestone in India's ongoing infrastructure transformation.
