IndiGo and Adani Airport Holdings have announced a strategic partnership to commence commercial operations from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), with IndiGo set to become the launch carrier from the new airport.
Following a similar playbook as at Noida International Airport, where IndiGo is the launch airline with a large operational commitment, the airline has confirmed that it will begin flights from NMIA when the airport opens, expected in 2025.
Navi Mumbai International Airport Terminal Render
IndiGo to operate 18 daily departures from day 1
Under the agreement, IndiGo will operate 18 daily departures — translating to 36 air traffic movements (ATMs) — to over 15 cities from the day the airport becomes operational. This number will ramp up significantly over time:
- By November 2025: 79 daily departures (158 ATMs), including 14 international flights.
- By March 2026: Over 100 daily departures (200 ATMs).
- By November 2026: 140 daily departures (280 ATMs), including 30 international flights.
This scale-up positions IndiGo as the dominant player at NMIA from inception, mirroring its strategy at other greenfield airports.
IndiGo and Adani Airports double down on aviation infrastructure
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers with Adani Airports CEO Arun Bansal
Commenting on the announcement, Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said:
IndiGo will be the inaugural airline to operate from NMIA and we couldn’t be more pleased to announce this. 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.
Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., added:
“We are delighted to announce IndiGo as the first airline partner to commence operations from NMIA. Together, we are poised to transform travel experience for millions of passengers, providing them both convenience and enhanced travel options.”
NMIA: Mumbai’s second international gateway
Navi Mumbai International Airport, developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between Adani Airports and CIDCO, is expected to relieve congestion at the current Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). With plans to eventually handle 90 million passengers annually, NMIA will feature:
- Two parallel runways
- Advanced cargo handling facilities
- State-of-the-art passenger terminals
- Sustainable, eco-friendly design inspired by the Lotus
Phase 1 of the project is targeted to handle 20 million passengers and 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo annually. It is expected to go live this year in the next few months.
A dual-hub future for Mumbai
IndiGo’s move to operate from NMIA aligns with its broader strategy of creating scale at upcoming Indian airports. Last year, IndiGo made headlines by becoming the first airline to commit to launching operations at Noida International Airport with over 170 weekly flights planned.
The twin announcements signal IndiGo’s intent to play a foundational role in India’s next-generation airport infrastructure, especially in high-demand markets such as the Mumbai and Delhi NCR regions.
As India eyes becoming the third-largest aviation market by 2030, these partnerships between airlines and airport operators will be key to driving the next phase of growth.
Bottomline
IndiGo has signed on with Adani Airports to become the launch operator to be present at Navi Mumbai International Airport on the day it goes live. From 18 flights to 15 cities on Day 1 to 140 daily departures by November 2026, that will be a quick ramp up.
What do you make of IndiGo’s plans to go live and scale at Navi Mumbai International Airport?
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