&w=3840&q=100)
IndiGo to launch first commercial flights from Navi Mumbai airport
IndiGo is set to become the first airline to commence commercial operations from the much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), developed by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL).
The airline will start with 18 daily departures — totalling 36 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) — to over 15 cities from the first day of operations.
IndiGo's expansion plans at NMIA
IndiGo plans to ramp up services in phases. By November 2025, it will operate 79 daily departures (158 ATMs), including 14 international flights. This is expected to grow to over 100 daily departures (200 ATMs) by March 2026. By November 2026, IndiGo aims to operate 140 daily departures (280 ATMs), including 30 international routes.
IndiGo and AAHL — India's largest private airport operator under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model — announced the milestone in a joint statement. 'This partnership will fuel aviation growth in the country, making it a key driver for India to become the third largest aviation economy by 2030,' IndiGo said.
Boost to India's aviation growth
Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, called the move a strategic expansion. 'Our alliance signals towards achievement of complete operational readiness on both sides to take next steps. This expansion underscores our dedication to catering to the evolving needs of our aspirational travellers and further contributing to the growth of India's booming aviation sector.'
Elbers said the new operations from NMIA will enhance the customer experience. 'The new flights from the brand-new NMIA will elevate the travel experience of our customers while enjoying affordable, on-time hassle-free services on our unparalleled network,' Elbers said.
Echoing this sentiment, Arun Bansal, CEO of AAHL, said the collaboration will help NMIA become a regional aviation hub. 'Together, we are poised to transform travel experience for millions of passengers, providing them both convenience and enhanced travel options. Our collaboration is set to strengthen NMIA's role as an aviation gateway for the region and for travellers nationally and internationally.'
$2.1 billion NMIA project
The $2.1 billion NMIA project is a landmark initiative designed to ease congestion at Mumbai's existing airport and position the region as a global transit hub akin to Dubai, London, or Singapore. Local authorities also plan to develop an 'aero city' around the airport to generate non-aeronautical revenues.
Both the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and the upcoming NMIA are managed by the Adani Group.
International flights by August
NMIA's lotus-shaped terminal — inspired by India's national flower — will initially accommodate 20 million passengers annually, with plans to expand to 90 million over the next decade.
Airlines are being advised to plan a phased shift in domestic operations between April and June 2025, with international flights likely to begin by August, according to Bloomberg.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘IndiGo, you're going down': Man misses connection flight from Jaipur, claims he lost Rs 2.65 lakh deal
A LinkedIn post by Chayan Garg has stirred debate online after he recounted how poor handling by IndiGo staff at Jaipur airport allegedly caused him to miss a crucial flight, ultimately costing him a client deal worth Rs 2.65 lakh. In a post titled 'IndiGo, you're going down,' Garg described how what was meant to be a routine work trip from Jaipur to Mumbai turned into him losing a 'high-stakes client meeting.' 'I reached the airport at 4:40 AM, cleared security by 5:10 AM, and was told by the IndiGo executive that boarding would begin in 10–15 minutes,' Garg wrote. With time to spare and the boarding gate crowded, he said he briefly stepped away to use the washroom. 'When I came back after 12 minutes, I was told boarding was closed. I was literally surprised as the boarding was supposed to start, not end.' What frustrated him further, he claimed, was the lack of any announcement. When he questioned the staff, he was told that Jaipur is a 'silent airport' where announcements are minimal. However, Garg countered this by pointing out that 'just minutes earlier, there was an announcement for the Dehradun flight from IndiGo.' When he mentioned this to the staff, 'they denied it straight to my face.' Despite pleading with staff and explaining the urgency of his client meeting, Garg says he was not allowed to board and received no support. 'No alternate option. No help with the next flight. No refund. No empathy,' he wrote. The fallout, he claims, was severe: 'We lost the client. Rs 2.65 lakh down the drain. A month's effort gone in seconds.' He ended the post by tagging consumer rights advocate Revant Himatsingka and asking for help, 'I'm genuinely clueless right now.' The post quickly went viral, striking a chord with many online. One user commented, 'I cannot imagine the number of people who have gone through something similar but were never properly compensated because they lack a platform and people who would listen. I really hope this post helps all of them.' Another user commented: 'I am sorry for what you went through, and I am not related to IndiGo, but if you tell the situation to the client, I am sure they would understand. If they don't, you should be grateful that you didn't end up working with someone who does not understand uncontrollable circumstances.' Some users also raised practical concerns, with one said, 'Strange. Normally they call on your mobile number if you miss the boarding, personal experience. Early morning flights are boarded before time as the plane is already parked overnight and they have to reduce time lag throughout the day.' IndiGo eventually responded to the controversy, acknowledging the passenger's frustration but standing by their protocol. 'Dear Mr Garg, we understand how disappointing it can be to miss a flight, and our carefully planned travel gets disrupted. However, as per our review, the boarding gate closed 25 minutes before departure, in line with standard procedure. Unfortunately, your arrival was after gate closure, by which time final preparations for take-off were already underway. Our airport team offered the next available flight to support you, and while we respect your decision not to proceed with it, we genuinely appreciate your patience and understanding. At IndiGo, we are committed to continuously working towards smoother, more seamless journeys for all our customers,' the airline wrote in a comment.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
6 hours ago
- First Post
INS Arnala: 10 things about India's first home-made anti-submarine warfare small ship
The warship is mostly indigenous, with over 80 per cent content locally sourced. The name of this ship has been inspired by the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra read more Indian Navy personnel and officials of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, during the handover ceremony of 'Arnala' on May, 8, 2025. (Photo: PTI/File) The Indian Navy is all set to commission its first indigenous-built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on June 18. Named INS Arnala, the warship is first among the 16 such vessels being designed and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in partnership with L&T Shipbuilders under a Public-Private Partnership model. The Indian Navy received the delivery of the ship on May 8. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Indian Navy said in a statement on Friday, 'The event marks the formal induction of the first of the sixteen ASW-SWC class ships into the Indian Navy. Designed and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipbuilders, Arnala is a testament to the success of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self reliant India) initiative in defence manufacturing." Here are key facts to know about INS Arnala The warship is mostly indigenous, with over 80 per cent content locally sourced. Most of the systems on this ship have been put together by Indian defence companies such as Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T, Mahindra Defence, and MEIL. A total of 55 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contributed to the development of the ship, helping strengthen domestic defence industries. INS Arnala is 77 metres in length with a gross weight of exceeding 14,90 tonnes. It employs a Diesel Engine-Waterjet system. The Indian Navy can deploy this warship in anti-submarine warfare operations, including subsurface surveillance, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime missions. The name of this ship has been inspired by the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra. The fort was built by the Marathas in 1737 and is strategically located to face the Vaitarna River mouth. The ship's crest showcases a stylised Auger Shell on a blue backdrop, representing resilience, vigilance, and supremacy in demanding conditions. The Auger Shell, with its spiralling, fortified structure and precise tip, embodies resilience, vigilance, survival, and dominance in harsh environments, reflecting the ship's ability to endure the ocean's relentless forces and execute precise anti-submarine operations. The ship's motto, 'Arnave Shauryam,' written in Devanagari beneath the crest, translates to 'Valour in the Ocean,' capturing the vessel's operational spirit. The induction ceremony will be led by General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, and hosted by Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
After IndiGo, Akasa announces flights from NMIA
Mumbai: Akasa Air, on Friday, announced its partnership with Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), and is set to begin commercial flight operations from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This decision follows a week after IndiGo's announcement to launch flights from NMIA. Initially, the airline will operate over 100 domestic departures per week and will increase the number to over 300 domestic departures and over 50 international departures per week in the winters. In an attempt to broaden its network, the airline is also set to increase its parking capacity to 10 bases by the end of financial year 2027. Their focus is on international expansion into key Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian markets. Vinay Dube, founder and CEO, Akasa Air said, 'Our foray into NMIA is a strategic step aligned with Akasa Air's long-term vision to build a future-ready airline that is responsive to the evolving needs of Indian travellers.' Dube added that compared to other airlines, Akasa Air plans to have the largest share of its fleet at NMIA. 'Enhanced connectivity from Navi Mumbai will not only strengthen our network in the western region but also help fuel India's economic engine by improving connectivity, stimulating regional development, and ensuring that the benefits of aviation-led growth reach every corner of the country,' said Dube.
