The much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is expected to handle its first domestic commercial flight by mid-December, marking a crucial milestone in Maharashtra’s aviation infrastructure roadmap. The airport’s operator has yet to issue a formal confirmation, but senior officials from the Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate have indicated that both passenger and cargo operations could begin around 15 December, with international services likely to commence by early 2026.
The project, jointly developed under a public-private partnership model, represents one of India’s largest greenfield airport initiatives. Designed to decongest the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s (MMR) airspace, the airport will eventually feature four terminals and two parallel runways. Officials from the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) stated that construction work is progressing steadily toward the December target. To ensure seamless operations, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has assumed control of airport security. A senior CISF official confirmed that 200 personnel have been deployed, with the number expected to rise to 1,800 as flight operations scale up. A dedicated control room is also being established at Terminal 3 to monitor surveillance and manage security incidents in real time.
In tandem with these developments, the Maharashtra government has set up a new Airport Police Station within the NMIA premises. The facility will oversee law enforcement and safety within the airport’s jurisdiction, which will be carved out of the existing Panvel City and Ulwe police limits. The station has been sanctioned 108 posts across ranks, alongside a budget allocation of ₹33.8 million for recurring and ₹17.6 million for non-recurring expenses. Preparations for airport immigration and customs services are also advancing. According to senior police officials, recruitment interviews for immigration staff are under way, and selected candidates will undergo specialised training at Mumbai’s Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) ahead of operational launch.
Once operational, the Navi Mumbai International Airport will serve as a major aviation and logistics hub for western India, easing pressure on the overburdened Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Experts note that the airport’s phased launch will also catalyse surrounding urban growth, including transit-oriented development, housing, and employment opportunities across Navi Mumbai and Raigad districts. Beyond its economic promise, the project is being seen as an opportunity to model a more sustainable and climate-resilient airport ecosystem, featuring green infrastructure, renewable energy use, and efficient resource management—critical to India’s broader net-zero ambitions.
Navi Mumbai Airport Set To Begin First Commercial Flight Operations By Mid-December
