Navi Mumbai International Airport Makes Grand Debut with First Flight and Drone Show
IndiGo inaugural services mark the start of operations at India’s newest greenfield airport, developed to ease Mumbai’s air traffic burden.
Navi Mumbai, Dec 25: Marking a major milestone in India’s aviation sector, the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday commenced airside operations with the arrival of its first commercial flight, signalling the formal debut of the long-awaited greenfield airport.
The inaugural arrival IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru touched down at 8 am and was accorded a ceremonial water cannon salute. Shortly after, the airport’s first departure, IndiGo flight 6E882 to Hyderabad, took off at 8:40 am, completing NMIA’s maiden arrival-and-departure cycle.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani personally welcomed passengers following the inaugural landing. One of the passengers, Ram Prasad, said he had booked the flight specifically to experience the new airport.
“We came from Bengaluru just to see the Navi Mumbai airport. Mr Adani himself welcomed us, and everything was very well organised,” he said.
A future-ready aviation hub
Located in Navi Mumbai, NMIA is set to emerge as one of India’s busiest and most significant aviation hubs, serving the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and western India. The airport has been designed to cater to the region’s rapidly expanding passenger and cargo traffic.
Spread across 1,160 hectares (2,866 acres), NMIA will eventually handle up to 90 million passengers per annum (MPPA). In its initial phase, the airport is expected to manage 20 MPPA and 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo annually. Once fully developed, the facility will feature two parallel runways, advanced terminal buildings and modern cargo infrastructure.
Built as an eco-friendly greenfield project, the airport integrates renewable energy solutions and sustainable construction practices. Its fluid, futuristic architectural design draws inspiration from the lotus, India’s national flower.
Drone spectacle marks launch eve
On the eve of its operational launch, NMIA hosted a spectacular drone show featuring 1,515 synchronised drones that lit up the night sky. The aerial display showcased striking formations including 3D lotus blooms, the airport’s terminal design, the NMIA logo, a green airport theme, aircraft visuals over Mumbai, and imagery symbolising India’s growth.
Project background
The Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed by Navi Mumbai International Airport Private Limited (NMIAL), a special purpose vehicle formed to construct, operate and maintain the project. NMIAL is a public-private partnership between Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a subsidiary of Adani Airports Holdings Limited, and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO). Adani Airports Holdings Limited holds a 74 per cent stake, while CIDCO owns the remaining 26 per cent.
