Navi Mumbai Airport Takes Flight: Passenger Services Begin Today, Easing Mumbai's Burden

• Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) commenced passenger services on December 25, aiming to alleviate Mumbai's air traffic congestion.
• Initial operations run for 12 hours (8 AM-8 PM) with 23 daily flights, connecting to 16 major cities via IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air.
• The first flight, an IndiGo aircraft from Bengaluru, landed at 8 AM, with the first departure scheduled for Hyderabad.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport on October 8, 2025; it has an annual capacity of 2 crore passengers.
• CIDCO MD Vijay Singhal stated the airport will become 24-hour operational from February 2026, boosting international air traffic.

Why It Matters: Navi Mumbai International Airport opens, easing Mumbai's air traffic and boosting regional connectivity.