The greenfield airport started operations on December 25, 2025, managing approximately 30 flights daily, which include 15 arrivals and 15 departures. Domestic routes are being served by IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and Star Air.
Two IndiGo flights from Bengaluru and Delhi have already landed at the new airport, heralding the onset of commercial services.
In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18 prior to the opening, Jeet Adani mentioned that the airport would commence operations cautiously to guarantee a seamless rollout. “Initially, the airport will accommodate around 30 flights per day, with a capacity of about eight to 10 flights each hour. Over the coming month to six weeks, we will gradually increase operations as we address minor operational issues. There are a few snags that we will fix over the next 30 to 45 days. By February, we anticipate fully-fledged, high-intensity operations,” he stated.
Also read: Adani Airports to invest ₹1 lakh crore in expansion over 5 years; portfolio-wide capacity boost planned
During the initial phase, Navi Mumbai Airport will operate for 12 hours each day, from 8 am to 8 pm. It is capable of handling up to 10 aircraft movements, covering both arrivals and departures, per hour, with as many as 24 scheduled daily departures to 13 domestic destinations.
Discussing the selection of Christmas Day for the launch, Adani clarified that the decision was based on operational factors rather than symbolism. “We chose Christmas because it’s the lowest load period. Our aim was to ensure a smooth start instead of a hectic first day,” he explained, adding that the airport would implement a “rolling start” model.
By February, the airport is projected to manage between 24 and 30 flights per hour, effectively accomplishing in one hour what it will initially manage over an entire day. “What we are doing in a day now, we will eventually handle in an hour,” Adani remarked.
Beyond the airport’s launch, Adani Airports is gearing up for its next growth phase with a ₹1 lakh crore investment plan spanning the next five years. The group is also contemplating strategic alternatives such as an initial public offering, a demerger from Adani Enterprises, or the introduction of a strategic anchor investor to unlock value, according to Adani.
The launch of Navi Mumbai International Airport enhances the Adani Group’s aviation portfolio, which commenced in 2019 with the establishment of Adani Airports Holding Company.
Since then, the group has become India’s largest private airport operator, managing eight airports—six through privatization, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport via the acquisition of GVK’s stake, and now the newly operational Navi Mumbai facility.
