The long-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is finally ready for its first major milestone. Scheduled to be inaugurated on October 8, 2025, this ambitious project will mark a new era for Mumbai’s aviation network. However, commercial operations are expected to begin only by mid-December, following a detailed readiness and approval process.
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Inauguration Followed by Extensive Safety and Readiness Checks
Although the inauguration will take place in early October, passengers will have to wait a little longer before they can fly from Navi Mumbai. The airport still needs to complete work in the terminal approach area, followed by a series of security and operational checks.
Once construction and safety procedures are finalized, the airport will be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for mandatory security clearance, a process expected to take around 45 days. After this, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will issue its final operational approval, clearing the runway for commercial flights.
Daytime Flights to Begin First
In the initial phase, air traffic control (ATC) will operate flights between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., limiting operations to daytime. This means international flights, which mostly operate during night hours, will commence at a later stage once night operations receive clearance.
Domestic carriers Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air will be among the first airlines to begin operations. However, it remains unclear whether these airlines will shift existing flights from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) or introduce new routes from Navi Mumbai.
One Runway and One Terminal to Start With
In Phase 1, the airport will operate one runway and one terminal, handling up to 10–12 air traffic movements per hour. This translates to a capacity of approximately 20 million passengers per year.
Design work for the second terminal is already underway, with construction expected to begin within this financial year. When completed by 2029, it will add capacity for another 30 million passengers annually. Eventually, NMIA will boast four terminals capable of handling up to 100 million passengers per year.
How to Reach Navi Mumbai International Airport
Reaching NMIA will vary depending on where you start:
- From South Mumbai: Take the Eastern Freeway → Atal Setu → Ulwe–Belapur Road (≈ 60 minutes)
- From Thane: Eastern Express Highway → Mumbra–Airoli Road → Belapur–Ulwe Road (≈ 70 minutes)
- From Goregaon: Western Express Highway → Sea Link → Atal Setu → Ulwe–Belapur Road (≈ 90 minutes)
- From Mira Road: Godhbunder Road → Thane → Belapur–Ulwe Road (≈ 120 minutes)
Inside the Airport
The new terminal will feature four entry gates, 66 check-in counters, and 22 self-baggage drop counters. After clearing security, passengers will enter a modern shopping zone featuring over 112 retail and F&B outlets, with luxury, leisure, and confectionery brands. Around 45 to 50 stores will open initially, with more to follow.
The airport will have 29 aerobridge gates and 10 bus gates, designed for smooth domestic and international transfers. NMIA’s ultimate goal is to function as an international hub, enabling direct connectivity between India and major global cities, reducing dependence on Middle Eastern transit hubs.
Once fully operational, Mumbai will become a true dual-airport city, offering travelers the flexibility to choose between CSMIA and Navi Mumbai International Airport — setting the stage for a new chapter in India’s aviation growth.
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