IndiGo, Adani Airports join forces to kickstart ops at Navi Mumbai airport
text_fields
New Delhi: IndiGo, India’s leading airline, and Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL), the largest operator of public-private partnership airports in the country, jointly announced on Wednesday that the low-cost carrier will be the first airline to commence operations from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). IndiGo will operate 18 daily flights to more than 15 cities from the first day of the airport’s commercial opening.
According to a joint statement issued by the two companies, the initial 18 daily departures—translating to 36 air traffic movements (ATMs)—will gradually be ramped up. By November 2025, IndiGo plans to increase its operations to 79 daily departures (158 ATMs), including 14 international flights. This figure is expected to grow to over 100 daily departures (200 ATMs) by March 2026, and further expand to 140 daily departures (280 ATMs) by November 2026, including 30 international flights.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers expressed enthusiasm over the strategic collaboration, stating, “IndiGo will be the inaugural airline to operate from NMIA, and we couldn’t be more pleased to announce this. Our alliance signals towards achievement of complete operational readiness on both sides to take next steps. This expansion underscores our dedication to catering to the evolving needs of our aspirational travellers and further contributing to the growth of India's booming aviation sector.”
Arun Bansal, CEO of AAHL, commented on the partnership, saying, “We are delighted to announce IndiGo as the first airline partner to commence operations from NMIA. This partnership marks a major step towards confirming NMIA’s position as a transfer hub for domestic and international travellers. Together, we are poised to transform travel experience for millions of passengers, providing them both convenience and enhanced travel options. Our collaboration is set to strengthen NMIA’s role as an aviation gateway for the region and for travellers nationally and internationally.”
NMIA is poised to become India’s premier international aviation hub, offering state-of-the-art facilities, a best-in-class passenger experience, and seamless connectivity. Strategically located and built with advanced infrastructure, the airport is expected to play a crucial role in bolstering India’s position in the global air travel network.
In its first phase, NMIA will have the capacity to handle 20 million passengers and 0.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo annually. Once fully developed, it will be capable of accommodating 90 million passengers and 3.2 MMT of cargo per year.
IndiGo’s operational strategy at NMIA includes expanding connectivity to both domestic and international destinations. The airline is also enhancing its network to make air travel more accessible to a wider segment of the Indian population. This expansion aligns with IndiGo’s commitment to offering a seamless travel experience and maximizing customer convenience.
The launch of NMIA will introduce a dual-airport system in Mumbai, aimed at decongesting the existing Mumbai International Airport and improving the overall passenger experience. The increased capacity from both airports is expected to drive significant economic growth for Mumbai and the broader Maharashtra region. Covering over 1,160 hectares (2,866 acres), NMIA will feature two parallel runways and world-class terminal buildings upon completion.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) is a special-purpose vehicle established for the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of this greenfield international airport. It is structured as a Public Private Partnership (PPP), with Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL)—a subsidiary of AAHL—holding a 74 per cent stake, while the remaining 26 per cent is held by the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO), a Government of Maharashtra enterprise.
With IANS inputs
