Navi Mumbai International Airport to Open on Christmas Day; Adani Plans Full Operations by February
- iamramdharsan
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Mumbai: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set to commence operations on December 25, marking a major milestone in India’s aviation infrastructure development. The airport will begin with a phased and calibrated rollout, gradually scaling up to full-fledged operations by February, according to Adani Group.
Jeet Adani, Director at Adani Airports Holding Limited, confirmed the timeline in an exclusive interaction with CNBC-TV18, stating that the airport’s opening will follow a “rolling start” approach to ensure operational stability and passenger safety.
Why December 25 Was Chosen
Addressing the decision to launch on Christmas Day, Jeet Adani clarified that the timing was driven purely by operational efficiency.“Christmas typically sees lower traffic volumes. Choosing a low-load period allows us to ensure a smooth and controlled launch rather than a stressful first day,” he said.
Initial Operations and Flight Capacity
In the first phase, Navi Mumbai Airport will handle around 30 flights per day, with the ability to manage up to eight flights per hour. This limited start will allow airport authorities to identify and resolve any operational challenges before scaling up.
“We expect a few minor operational snags in the initial weeks. These will be addressed over the next 30–45 days,” Adani said.
Full-Scale Operations by February
By February, the airport is expected to significantly ramp up capacity, handling 24 to 30 flights per hour—a sharp increase from the initial daily volume.
“What we are doing in a full day at the start, we will eventually do in just one hour,” Adani noted, highlighting the rapid scale-up plan.
Strategic Boost to Adani’s Aviation Portfolio
The opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport strengthens Adani Group’s position as India’s largest private airport operator. The group entered the aviation sector in 2019 with the formation of Adani Airports Holding Company and has since expanded aggressively.
Currently, Adani operates eight airports across India, including:
Six airports acquired through privatisation
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport via acquisition of GVK’s stake
The upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport
A Game-Changer for Mumbai Region
Once fully operational, Navi Mumbai Airport is expected to ease congestion at Mumbai’s primary airport, improve regional connectivity, and support long-term growth in passenger and cargo traffic across western India.
With its phased launch strategy and aggressive scale-up plan, the airport is poised to become a critical hub in India’s expanding aviation ecosystem.
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