The much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) is now scheduled for its grand opening in June 2025, following a delay from the originally planned April 17 launch. This marks a pivotal moment in the region’s aviation infrastructure, set to redefine air travel capacity and accessibility.

Situated as the second major airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Navi Mumbai International Airport will work alongside the already established Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to meet the growing demand for air traffic. The airport’s development is being spearheaded through a joint venture, with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd holding a 74% stake and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) owning the remaining 26%. The project is expected to cost Rs 16,700 crore, with the goal of addressing capacity challenges and offering better connectivity to India’s financial capital.

Launched in February 2018, the project aims to reduce the strain on Mumbai’s primary airport and accommodate the country’s rapidly increasing air traffic. Initially, commercial operations were expected to commence in April 2025, with domestic flights beginning in mid-May and international services following by late July. However, the revised schedule now sets the official opening for June 2025, pushing back the launch by a couple of months.

Upon completion, the Navi Mumbai International Airport will feature two runways and four terminals. The facility’s design includes five phases of development, ultimately allowing it to handle up to 90 million passengers annually, positioning it as an essential player in the region’s aviation network.

Test Flights and Airline Transitions to the New Airport

Ahead of its opening, test flights will be conducted in April 2025 to ensure the airport’s readiness for widebody international flights. These trial runs are key to ensuring that the airport can accommodate large aircraft and support the diverse range of airlines planning to operate from the new facility.

IndiGo Airlines marked a milestone by performing the first validation flight in December 2024, using an Airbus A320. This flight set the stage for the carrier to gradually transfer part of its operations to the new airport. Other airlines, including Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, are in talks to fully relocate their services, signaling the airport’s importance for both domestic and international air traffic.

While Air India plans to continue its operations at the current Mumbai airport for the time being, the carrier is expected to gradually shift its domestic flights to Navi Mumbai. The new airport, located approximately 22 miles southeast of Mumbai’s main terminal, offers much-needed relief from the congestion that has long plagued the existing airport.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is being built with a vision to modernize Mumbai’s air travel infrastructure. This $2.1 billion investment is designed to alleviate the city’s aviation bottlenecks, serving a growing population of over 21 million people. Additionally, the airport’s developers plan to create a vibrant international transit hub, rivaling global airports like those in Dubai, London, and Singapore. The “aero city” planned around the airport will also boost non-aviation revenue, driving further economic growth.

With strategic oversight from the Adani Group, which manages both the current and new Mumbai airports, the project is poised to offer seamless coordination for airlines transitioning to the new facility. As the opening approaches, the Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to play a crucial role in reshaping the region’s aviation sector, making it an essential gateway for global travelers.

The post Navi Mumbai International Airport Now Set to Open in June 2025, After Delay, Providing Vital Expansion for Mumbai’s Aviation Network: New Updates You Need to Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.