Ahmedabad: Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, witnessed a major aviation milestone as its long-awaited second airport, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), commenced commercial operations, easing the load on the congested Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).

The inaugural flight, IndiGo 6E460 from Bengaluru, landed at 8:00 AM to a traditional water cannon salute, marking a historic beginning for India’s aviation sector. Soon after, the first departure, IndiGo 6E882 to Hyderabad, took off at 8:40 AM. On its opening day, NMIA is handling around 15–23 scheduled flights operated by IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and Star Air, connecting nine domestic destinations including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, and Kochi.

With the commencement of commercial operations at NMIA, Ahmedabad has received enhanced connectivity to Mumbai as two airlines—IndiGo and Star Air—have already launched flight services connecting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and Navi Mumbai.

Ahmedabad–Navi Mumbai Flight Schedule

IndiGo Daily Non-stop Service

Route	Flight No.	Departure	Duration	Arrival
Ahmedabad (AMD T1) → Navi Mumbai (NMI)	6E 836	11:55 AM	1h 05m	1:00 PM
Navi Mumbai (NMI) → Ahmedabad (AMD T1)	6E 837	10:10 AM	1h 05m	11:15 AM

Fares start from approx. ₹3,500

Star Air – Four Flights Per Week (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)

Ahmedabad → Navi Mumbai

Day	Flight	Departure	Duration	Arrival
Sunday & Tuesday	S5-703	1:30 PM	1h 15m	2:45 PM
Monday & Thursday	S5-703	12:30 PM	1h 10m	1:40 PM

Navi Mumbai → Ahmedabad

Day	Flight	Departure	Duration	Arrival
Sunday & Tuesday	S5-704	3:15 PM	1h 15m	4:30 PM
Monday & Thursday	S5-704	2:10 PM	1h 10m	3:20 PM

Fares start from approx. ₹3,399

About NMIA and Future Capacity

Developed by Adani Airports Holdings in partnership with CIDCO, the greenfield NMIA features a modern terminal inspired by lotus motifs, energy-efficient infrastructure, Digi Yatra-enabled contactless passenger processing, affordable food outlets promoting regional brands, and dedicated passenger support services. Initially, the airport will operate between 8 AM and 8 PM, handling up to 10 aircraft movements per hour, and plans to transition to 24×7 operations from February 2026.

Phase one includes one runway and one terminal, designed to handle 20 million passengers annually. Full development over five phases will increase capacity to 90 million passengers per year, including dedicated cargo facilities.

Long Journey to Completion

First proposed in 1997, NMIA faced multiple delays due to land acquisition challenges, and after the foundation was laid, the COVID-19 pandemic caused further delays. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in 2018, and the airport was inaugurated on October 8, 2025. Its launch makes Mumbai India’s first multi-airport city, enhancing operational resilience and supporting economic growth across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Connectivity and Accessibility

Although located in Ulwe in Raigad district, NMIA is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and currently relies mainly on road connectivity via the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu), Sion–Panvel Highway, and Palm Beach Road. The nearest railway station is Targhar (around 3–4 km), while future metro connectivity is planned. In comparison, CSMIA in Andheri continues to offer superior public transport integration, including metro access and suburban rail connectivity.

NMIA significantly benefits residents of Navi Mumbai, Thane, the eastern suburbs, Pune, Raigad, and the Kalyan–Dombivli region, while CSMIA remains more convenient for South and Western Mumbai.

Access Times Across MMR

During peak hours, travel time from Worli is around 70 minutes (35 km), from Powai around 70 minutes (34 km), and from Thane approximately 60 minutes (34 km). From Goregaon, the 45 km journey may take around 95 minutes, while from Mira Road the 50 km distance may take up to 135 minutes. From Vashi, the 14 km distance takes about 30 minutes, whereas from Kalyan, Dombivli, Badlapur, and Ambernath, the 37 km journey may take around 120 minutes.

Residents from Airoli to Belapur can conveniently access the airport using Thane–Belapur Road or Palm Beach Road, while those in Kharghar and Panvel can reach via Sion–Panvel Road through Kalamboli Circle. However, travelers from Western Suburbs may still find CSMIA more convenient unless NMIA offers significantly faster access or more attractive fare and flight options.

With Ahmedabad gaining direct connectivity, the launch of NMIA marks a significant moment for both Mumbai’s aviation infrastructure and intercity air connectivity.

What do first-time flyers say?

Several flyers who travelled on the inaugural flights to Navi Mumbai Airport shared their experience on Twitter.

One Twitter user wrote,
“Took the first flight to the brand-new Navi Mumbai airport waited 15 years for this moment.
And made it even better with a surprise visit home to my parents”

Another user shared a video clip, with the caption,
“Landing in Mumbai, without having to witness the slums is a welcome sight. The first landing of Indigo’s Ahmedabad Navi Mumbai flight.”

Later, in a series of tweets, he pointed out noteworthy things at the airport, such as:

1. There is no mobile network currently. But there’s access to free WiFi. You can use it to book cabs. And keep Wi-Fi calling option on. Else the cabbie won’t be able to call you

2. After exit, you need to go one level down to access public transport options. Chalo buses to Colaba and other places were available right from Day 1.

3. The airport is still pretty much under construction. There’s lots of work still pending. I even saw some leaks being plugged. These are teething troubles and should get fixed soon.

Landing in Mumbai, without having to witness the slums is a welcome sight. The first landing of Indigo’s Ahmedabad Navi Mumbai flight. pic.twitter.com/eYu3eY8byO

— Rahul Srinivas (@whizkidd) December 25, 2025

Navi Mumbai Airport to Boost Tourism

Destinations such as Lonavala, Karjat, Alibaug, Kamshet, Nashik, Igatpuri, and Pune are expected to benefit the most, with easier connectivity for travelers, families, and holidaymakers from across India. Travel to Lonavala—one of the most visited hill stations known for its waterfalls, caves, and trekking spots—is expected to take around 1 hour 15 minutes (67 km). Kamshet, known for paragliding and scenic trails, will be about 84 km away with a travel time of around 1.5 hours, while Alibaug will be around 73 km, taking about 1 hour 50 minutes via Atal Setu.

Closer destinations like Karjat, popular for nature retreats and scenic stays, will be just 42 km away with a travel time of about an hour. Pune—a major cultural and economic hub—will also see improved access at a distance of 137 km, taking approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.

All these areas currently take significantly longer to access when landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai. DeshGujarat