Navi Mumbai airport to launch on May 15; Low-cost carriers seek prime slots

Mumabi: The commercial launch of Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL) is slated for May 2025 and with all hands-on deck, the Adani group is leaving no stone unturned to seal the gaps prior to the grand opening.

Currently the group is engaged in strategic discussions with domestic carriers – IndiGo, Air India Express and SpiceJet to shift a part of their operations to the newly built Navi Mumbai Airport. Although domestic flights are expected to start around May, international flights from this new airport will start operating from August 2025.

Air India will however continue to operate from Mumbai International Airport.

According to a Bloomberg report, airlines are planning incentives around the airport fees. These incentives are usually beneficial for the airlines as they can offer attractive travel fees to the passengers who might not be wanting to travel to Navi Mumbai Airport.

In another development, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has received an application for an aerodrome license from NMIAL. The airport plans to launch commercial flights from May 15 and will get a licence before that, sources from DGCA have confirmed.

According to sources, Air India is expected to carry out a test flight for dual-aisle aircraft, which are used for international operations to check airport’s preparedness for overseas flights in the month of April.

Prior to this, in December last year, a validation flight was carried out by IndiGo’s single-aisle Airbus 320.

Currently the connectivity to the new airport is another challenge before the Adani Group. On this front the Group is engaged into enhancing the new airport road and rail connectivity for passenger convenience. The group is vying for high-speed transportation links connecting the Mumbai Airport to Navi Mumbai Airport. Some reports have hinted at a metro line between the two airports, but it will take years to become reality. Cashing in on the new airport, local authorities have planned an aero city around it.

The Navi Mumbai Airport will be operational using one terminal with an annual capacity of 20 million passengers, with expansion plans eyeing demand, the airport will be ramped up to handle 90 million passengers in the coming years.