IndiGo, Air India Express, Others To Lead Shift To Navi Mumbai Airport
Bloomberg reported that the Adani Group’s new $2.1 billion airport is capable of handling 20 million passengers annually.
Mumbai’s second airport, Navi Mumbai International Airport, is set to open in May, with leading low-cost carriers preparing to shift operations, Bloomberg reported. IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa are in discussions to move flights to the new facility, marking a significant expansion of the city’s aviation capacity.
According to Bloomberg, IndiGo will begin partial operations at the airport, while Air India Express and other budget carriers are considering a full transition in phases. Air India’s full-service operations will continue at Mumbai’s primary airport for now but will gradually increase domestic flights from Navi Mumbai.
The new airport, located about 22 miles from the existing facility, is expected to play a key role in meeting growing passenger demand and enhancing Mumbai’s status as a global transit hub. Bloomberg reported that authorities also plan to develop an “aero city” around the airport, creating additional commercial and business opportunities.
Discussions between airlines and the airport management are underway, focusing on slot allocation and operational incentives, Bloomberg said. These incentives, particularly around airport fees, are expected to help airlines offer competitive fares, making the transition smoother for both carriers and passengers.
Navi Mumbai International Airport, currently under development by the Adani group will open with a single terminal capable of handling 20 million passengers annually, with expansion plans allowing capacity to grow to 90 million over the next decade, Bloomberg reported. Domestic operations are expected to shift between April and June, with international flights set to begin in August.
Ahead of the launch, airlines are preparing trial operations. Air India is scheduled to conduct a test flight in April using a dual-aisle aircraft, Bloomberg said. IndiGo had previously carried out the first validation flight at the airport in December 2024.
Shares of Indigo and Air India closed 2.16% and 5.53% higher, compared to an 1.01% advance in the benchmark BSE Sensex 30.
