Mumbai's Second Sky: NMIA Takes Flight on December 25th

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), India’s newest aviation gateway, is set to begin commercial operations on 25 December 2025.

The airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 October, marking the start of a phased operational rollout designed to prioritise passenger safety, reliability, and comfort. NMIA will serve the rapidly growing aviation needs of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). During its first month, the airport will function for 12 hours daily—from 08:00 to 20:00—and manage 23 scheduled departures per day, with capacity for up to 10 flight movements per hour in this initial phase.

Comprehensive Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) trials are currently underway with all key stakeholders. Security preparations are also advancing, with the CISF deployed on 29 October 2025. The project is being spearheaded by NMIAL, the special purpose vehicle responsible for developing and operating the greenfield airport.

“NMIA will play a pivotal role in enhancing connectivity and expanding the aviation capacity of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region,” an official spokesperson said.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.