For years, flying in and out of Mumbai meant packed terminals, long queues and limited slots. On Christmas Day, that story began to change as Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) welcomed its first commercial flights, turning a long-pending dream into reality.
The moment was marked not just by aircraft engines but by emotion and celebration. A day before operations began, the airport hosted a grand drone show, with more than 1,500 drones lighting up the sky. The visuals told a story of progress, planes soaring, green symbols reflecting sustainability, and images that captured Mumbai’s growth and future aspirations. For many watching, it felt like a quiet promise finally being kept.
On December 25 morning, an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru touched down at NMIA and was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute. Soon after, the first departure took off for Hyderabad. These two flights signalled the beginning of regular passenger operations at an airport that has been years in the making.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, speaking after the first landing, summed up the sentiment many Mumbaikars share. He said Mumbai had been “struggling for nearly 10 years” due to airport congestion and described the launch as a proud and emotional moment. According to him, the new airport is not just another infrastructure project but a solution to a problem travellers have faced daily for over a decade.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed through a public-private partnership, with Adani Airports Holdings Limited as the majority partner and Maharashtra government agency CIDCO as the public stakeholder. Once fully completed, the airport is expected to handle up to 90 million passengers a year, placing it among India’s largest aviation hubs.
Airport officials say the focus has been on passenger comfort and smooth travel, keeping in mind both frequent flyers and first-time travellers. With operations now underway, NMIA is expected to ease pressure on Mumbai’s existing airport, improve connectivity and open up new opportunities for the region.
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