Navi Mumbai airport takes off as commercial flight operations begin:First flight receives water cannon salute; Adani welcomes passengers, poses for selfies

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) commenced its airside operations today with the arrival of its first commercial flight. IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru landed at 08:00 hrs and received a ceremonial water cannon salute. The airport’s first departure, IndiGo flight 6E882 to Hyderabad, took off at 08:40 hrs, completing NMIA’s inaugural arrival and departure cycle. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani also arrived at Navi Mumbai Airport. He welcomed all passengers arriving on the first commercial flight from Bengaluru and took selfies with them. Spectacular drone show marks launch The airport’s operational launch was celebrated with a spectacular drone show featuring 1,515 drones. The drones created stunning formations, including 3D lotus blooms, the airport logo, planes flying over Mumbai, and other designs reflecting India and the airport’s theme. The evening event was attended by NMIA employees, young athletes, and specially-abled persons, offering a visually striking and memorable experience. Know about NMIA Navi Mumbai International Airport Private Limited (NMIAL) was set up as a special purpose vehicle to develop, construct, operate, and maintain the greenfield airport project. NMIAL is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a subsidiary of Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL) holding 74% stake, and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) holding 26%. Strategic importance and capacity Located in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, NMIA is poised to become a major aviation hub for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Western India. The airport spans over 1,160 hectares (2,866 acres) and is designed to handle 90 million passengers per annum (MPPA) upon completion. NMIA will feature two parallel runways, modern terminals, and advanced cargo facilities. Green and sustainable infrastructure NMIA is designed as a greenfield airport with eco-friendly infrastructure, including renewable energy sources and green building practices. Its futuristic design is inspired by the lotus, India’s national flower. Initial phase operations In its initial phase, the airport will handle 20 MPPA and 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo annually. NMIA aims to set benchmarks in operational efficiency, sustainability, and passenger experience, emerging as a key gateway to India and an important player in global aviation. ​