IndiGo, Akasa Air to launch new flight routes from Navi Mumbai on December 25

The airline stated that NMIA is designed to complement Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and cater to rising air-travel demand in the region, adding that it plans to “expand its operations, progressively,” by introducing more direct routes. IndiGo highlighted that the addition strengthens its wider domestic network of 95 airports.

Akasa Air will operate its first Delhi-NMIA flight on December 25, followed by direct services to Goa on the same day, and to Kochi and Delhi from December 26. A Navi Mumbai-Ahmedabad service will begin on December 31. Bookings for all flights have opened on the airline’s website, mobile apps and through travel agents. According to the airline, this marks a significant stage in its expansion since it now operates 34 weekly flights from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Akasa said it will progressively ramp up operations from NMIA to 300 domestic and 50 international weekly departures, as part of a broader network strategy that includes expanding to 10 parking bases by FY2027. The airline’s inaugural timetable lists flight numbers and timings across Delhi, Goa, Kochi and Ahmedabad.

Commenting on the development, Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, said the move represents “a landmark moment for Akasa Air and a defining step in India’s aviation evolution,” adding that NMIA will support a “dual-airport ecosystem that enhances connectivity, reliability, and choice for travellers”.

The Phase 1 inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport in Ulwe took place on October 8, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the facility. The new airport has marked a significant shift in Mumbai’s aviation landscape, offering a modern gateway for passenger travel and regional logistics while easing congestion at the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The airport features a high-capacity cargo terminal, 66 check-in counters, 29 aerobridges, an 80-room transit hotel, extensive duty-free retail, cold-chain cargo facilities, and passenger conveniences such as self-baggage drop, digital food ordering, lounges, and a dedicated children’s play area.