IndiGo Named Launch Carrier For New Navi Mumbai Airport

IndiGo will be the first airline to launch commercial flights from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI), with plans to initially serve more than 15 domestic destinations.

The airport is being developed by Adani Airports, which also operates Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). The first phase of NMI will accommodate 20 million passengers annually, with capacity expected to reach 90 million by 2036.

“IndiGo will be the inaugural airline to operate from [Navi Mumbai], and we couldn’t be more pleased to announce this,” IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers says. “Our alliance signals toward achievement of complete operational readiness on both sides to take next steps.”

The airline plans to scale up operations in phases, with 79 daily departures—including 14 international flights—by November 2025. By March 2026, IndiGo expects to operate more than 100 daily departures, rising to 140 by November 2026, including 30 international services.

“This expansion underscores our dedication to catering to the evolving needs of our aspirational travelers and further contributing to the growth of India's booming aviation sector,” Elbers adds.

Adani Airport Holdings CEO Arun Bansal described IndiGo’s plans a “major step” toward establishing NMI as a new domestic and international transfer hub, easing congestion at BOM. The launch of NMI, alongside Noida International Airport near New Delhi, reflects India’s shift toward a dual-airport model in both major metro regions.

Construction of NMI started in August 2021 and represents an investment of more than $2 billion. Although the official opening date is yet to be confirmed, COO Prabhat Mahapatra said at Routes Asia 2025 in March that the airport aims to begin commercial operations by early August. A NOTAM issued by the Airports Authority of India in mid-May stated that operations would not commence before Aug. 6.

IndiGo’s plans for NMI come as the carrier prepares to launch its first flights to Western Europe. The LCC will introduce flights from Mumbai to Manchester, England, on July 1, and from Mumbai to Amsterdam on July 2. Both services will be three times per week using Boeing 787 aircraft damp-leased from Norse Atlantic Airways.

Earlier this month, IndiGo reported a record net profit of INR30.7 billion ($358.6 million) for the three months through March 31, its fiscal fourth quarter. The carrier achieved a net profit of INR72.6 billion for its full fiscal year, which was down by 11.2% from the previous year.