Akasa Air will launch operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) as soon as it opens by the end of August 2025, starting with 15 daily domestic flights and scaling up rapidly in the months ahead. The move positions Akasa Air as a key launch partner for NMIA, the upcoming greenfield airport designed to transform air connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
By the summer of 2026, the airline plans to expand to over 40 domestic and up to 10 international flights daily from the new hub, effectively doubling down on its regional footprint. Top airline executives confirmed that Akasa intends to operate more than 80 flights daily from the MMR, split between NMIA and the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). This dual-hub strategy will enhance flexibility and serve India’s growing demand for aviation capacity. By the financial year 2027, Akasa will base 10 aircraft at NMIA, underlining its long-term commitment to the new infrastructure.
Initially, NMIA will support over 100 weekly domestic departures by Akasa, which will increase to more than 300 domestic and 50 international weekly flights in the winter schedule, running from late October to March. This growth phase will mark the airline’s deeper penetration into high-potential global markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Beyond immediate operational targets, Akasa is executing a broader network vision that includes establishing 10 aircraft parking bases across India by FY2027. The airline is also focusing on fleet modernisation, prioritising fuel-efficient aircraft to align with the sector’s decarbonisation goals.
NMIA, a major infrastructure project anchored in sustainable design and smart connectivity, will operate alongside CSMIA. The first phase of the airport is designed to manage 20 million passengers and 0.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo annually, with future phases expanding capacity to 90 million passengers and 3.2 MMT. NMIA’s development is integral to easing congestion at Mumbai’s existing airport and promoting regional economic decentralisation. IndiGo, the country’s largest airline by market share, had previously announced its own presence at NMIA. It plans to operate 36 flights connecting 15 cities on day one, with a rise to 79 daily departures — including 14 international — by November. This concurrent scale-up by multiple carriers demonstrates strong industry faith in NMIA as a critical new aviation hub.
However, NMIA’s full operational rollout hinges on final regulatory approvals. A notice from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has stated that the runway remains closed until 6 August. Industry sources indicate that this notice may be extended to allow completion of final safety checks and compliance reviews. As the airport readies for commercial takeoff, passengers in the Mumbai region will soon have access to a second major international airport that prioritises efficiency, sustainability, and accessibility. NMIA’s digital-first approach and multimodal transport integration are expected to redefine the passenger experience in line with the country’s vision for greener, smarter urban mobility.
With flight bookings from NMIA likely to open in the coming months, this marks a decisive leap forward in decentralising India’s civil aviation network — and in reshaping how citizens travel, connect, and grow with their cities.
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