Navi Mumbai International Airport Cleared for Takeoff, Operations Start Dec 2025

Navi Mumbai International Airport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first phase of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) today. The Rs 19,650 crore Greenfield project is a major step for India’s aviation growth. The Prime Minister will first walk through the new airport and then officially open it at around 3:30 PM. The fully built airport is expected to have 4 terminals and handle 90 million passengers a year, slightly more than London’s Heathrow Airport.

Domestic flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) are expected to start soon, while international flights are likely to begin by December.  A special VVIP terminal for important travellers is planned, with construction starting in 2026 and expected to finish by 2030. The terminal design, created by London-based Zaha Hadid Architects, is inspired by the lotus flower. The airport will also feature art showcasing Maharashtra’s history and culture. 

Navi Mumbai International Airport 2025 Operational Details

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is built through a public-private partnership and is India’s biggest new airport project. It spreads across 1,160 hectares. You can check the other major optional details about the Navi Mumbai International Airport opening:

Who Will Do Navi Mumbai International Airport Inauguration and When?

The Navi Mumbai International Airport inauguration takes place today, October 8, 2025, and is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister will first take a walkthrough of the newly-built airport before officially inaugurating it at around 3:30 PM. This marks a major milestone for India’s aviation infrastructure, as NMIA is set to operate alongside Mumbai’s existing airport to ease congestion and boost regional and international connectivity.

Navi Mumbai International Airport 2025 Major Highlights

Navi Mumbai International Airport is India’s biggest new airport and is expected to make travel and cargo easier. The airport will help reduce crowding at Mumbai’s current airport and become a major international hub. Here’s what you need to know about the new Navi Mumbai International Airport.

1. Flights start in December: The airport opens on October 8, 2025, but the first flights will start in December. The first airline is not confirmed yet.

2. Four gates and three areas: The airport has 4 gates and 3 main areas called Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie for domestic and international passengers.

3. Flight timings: At first, flights will run from 8 AM to 8 PM.

4. One runway and terminal for now: Later, there will be 4 terminals and 2 runways, but only one of each will work at the start.

5. Big international hub: The airport is built to be a major hub like Dubai or London’s Heathrow, with plans to handle up to 90 million passengers in the future.

6. Cargo handling: It will handle a lot of goods, starting from 0.5 million tonnes and going up to over 3 million tonnes each year.

7. Advanced landing system: There is a system to help planes land safely in fog or rain, better than Mumbai’s current airport.

8. Young passengers: Most travelers are young people like Gen Z and millennials, so the airport uses modern technology to make travel easy and fast.

9. Food halls instead of small shops: The airport has big “food halls” where you can order from many restaurants at once and get your food together.

10. Digital art and displays: The airport is full of digital art, LED screens, and interactive displays to make the airport look nice and travel less stressful.