Navi Mumbai International Airport Opens for Holiday Travel with Inaugural Flights

Commercial flight operations began at Navi Mumbai International Airport on December 25. The launch was timed perfectly for the holiday travel rush. It connects the new facility to nine Indian destinations immediately.

The airport was inaugurated earlier this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Its lotus-inspired design marks a significant infrastructure milestone for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This new hub is set to alleviate pressure on the existing Mumbai airport.

First Flights and Initial Operations Commence

The first arrival was an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru. It touched down at 8:00 AM and received a ceremonial water salute. Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, personally welcomed the inaugural passengers.

The first departure was an IndiGo flight to Hyderabad. It took off just 40 minutes after the first plane landed. According to PTI, four airlines will operate from the airport initially.

Fifteen scheduled departures were planned for the opening day. Services will run from 8 AM to 8 PM in this first phase. The airport can handle up to ten aircraft movements per hour already.

Capacity and Long-Term Economic Impact

The first phase of the project cost approximately ₹19,650 crore. It features a single terminal and runway. This phase allows the airport to handle 20 million passengers annually.

Future development includes four more phases. Upon full completion, it will cater to 90 million passengers yearly. The airport will also feature dedicated cargo terminals and improved multimodal connectivity.

This expansion is crucial for long-term economic growth in the region. It solidifies Mumbai’s position as a global aviation gateway. The added capacity will support commerce and tourism significantly.

The operational launch of Navi Mumbai International Airport provides a critical second hub for India’s financial capital. It promises to transform regional connectivity and reduce travel congestion. This new gateway is poised to become one of the nation’s busiest aviation centers.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Which airlines are operating from Navi Mumbai Airport first?

IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and Star Air launched the initial domestic services. They connect the airport to cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Goa. More carriers are expected to join as operations expand.

Q2: What is the passenger capacity of the new airport?

The completed first phase can handle 20 million passengers per year. After all five phases are finished, the capacity will rise to 90 million annually. This makes it one of India’s largest airport projects.

Q3: How will this affect the existing Mumbai airport?

The new airport is designed to reduce severe congestion at the current Mumbai International Airport. It will distribute air traffic across the metropolitan region. This should lead to more flight options and better on-time performance.

Q4: What are the airport’s operating hours at launch?

Initially, the airport is operating from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Operations are planned to scale up to 24/7 service by February 2025. Passengers are advised to arrive two hours before domestic flights.

Q5: What unique feature was used to celebrate the opening?

A massive drone show featuring 1,515 drones was held the night before the launch. The drones created aerial formations like 3D lotus blooms and the airport’s logo. The display highlighted the airport’s modern and innovative theme.