48 flights, 9 destinations, 4,000 passengers: How Day 1 unfolded at Navi Mumbai airport

Navi Mumbai International Airport

• Navi Mumbai Airport started with 48 flights on its first day of operations.
• New airport had unclear signs and incomplete transport facilities for passengers.
• NMIA aims to ease congestion at Mumbai's main airport and boost connectivity

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Mumbai’s long-awaited second airport, the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), officially began commercial operations on Thursday. The inaugural day saw the arrival and departure of the first scheduled flights, connecting the new hub to multiple domestic destinations.

The first arrival at NMIA was IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru, which landed at 8 am and received a ceremonial water cannon salute. The airport’s first departure took place shortly after, at 8.40 am, with an IndiGo flight to Hyderabad.

On its first day, the airport handled 48 flights across nine domestic destinations, serving more than 4,000 passengers, with peak traffic observed between 5 pm and 7 pm.

Aviation officials highlighted the “Navi” call sign, now officially used by pilots and air traffic controllers for communication. “When the first flight was handed over to the Navi Mumbai tower, we radioed to the pilots, ‘Welcome to Navi,’” TOI quoted an aviation official as saying.

Challenges and first-day experiences

Despite the excitement, passengers faced some troubles. Road signages were allegedly unclear or missing, with many motorists initially reaching the cargo terminal before locating the passenger terminal. Approach roads were still under repair, with construction equipment deployed for widening works.

While the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport launched bus services on five routes, most travelers relied on app-based cabs due to incomplete auto and taxi stands.

Passengers traveling from central Mumbai areas such as Matunga and Dadar noted the airport is approximately 35 km away.

Airlines and operations

Day-one operations featured four carriers, IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express, and Star Air. NMIA has been developed and is operated by Adani Airports Holdings Limited and is one of India’s largest greenfield airport projects.

Chairman Gautam Adani welcomed passengers from the inaugural flight and interacted with airport staff. “It’s a proud day for Mumbai and for India,” he said.

Cultural programs featuring Maharashtrian lezim, dhol, and tutari added a local flavour to the inauguration. Additionally, India Post released a commemorative First Flight Carried Special Cover flown on an IndiGo service to Goa.

The question of naming the airport after D B Patil resurfaced on the inaugural day, with former MP Sanjeev Naik noting that it reflects the sentiment of Navi Mumbaikars.

The opening of NMIA is expected to ease congestion at Mumbai’s main airport, which has been operating at full capacity. With modern infrastructure and expanded connectivity, NMIA is set to become a key gateway for domestic and international travellers.