Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), developed by the Adani Group, is expected to significantly ramp up its operations, with daily passenger traffic projected to reach around 50,000 and flight movements rising to nearly 380 per day by the end of the year, according to sources.
The greenfield airport, which began domestic commercial operations last year, is currently managing approximately 20,000 passengers daily along with about 150 aircraft movements. Sources suggest that traffic growth has exceeded initial expectations, largely driven by strong airline participation and rising passenger demand.
Estimates indicate that passenger volumes could more than double in the coming months, supported by increasing flight frequencies. IndiGo, which currently operates nearly 70% of the airport’s daily flights, is expected to expand its share to around 80% in the near future. Any strategic shift by the airline could further accelerate traffic growth, given its dominant presence at the airport.
While NMIA had initially planned to launch international services during the current summer schedule, the rollout has been delayed due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region. Sources noted that the situation has affected airline planning and scheduling, resulting in a temporary pause on international operations.
Despite this delay, airlines have shown considerable interest in commencing international routes, with early plans indicating around 16 arrivals and departures. However, timelines remain uncertain due to external factors.
The airport is also in discussions with carriers exploring long-haul operations, though challenges related to deploying wide-body aircraft at the facility persist. No final decisions have been made on these fronts so far.
Positioned as a key infrastructure project, NMIA is expected to ease congestion at Mumbai’s existing airport while supporting long-term aviation growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region through phased expansion and enhanced connectivity.
Source: Prop News Time
