Mumbai’s Budget Airlines to Lead Shift to Navi Mumbai Airport
Navi Mumbai, 5th March 2025: India’s budget airlines are set to spearhead the transition to Navi Mumbai Airport, the much-anticipated second airport for the country’s financial hub, developed under billionaire Gautam Adani’s leadership. The airport is gearing up for a potential launch in May.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, is expected to relocate part of its operations to the new facility, according to sources familiar with the matter. Tata Group’s low-cost airline, Air India Express, along with competitors SpiceJet and Akasa, are also in talks to eventually shift their entire operations.
For now, full-service carrier Air India Ltd. will continue operating from the existing Mumbai airport but will gradually move more of its domestic flights to the new location, approximately 35 kilometers southeast of the city’s current congested aerodrome, sources said.
Aviation Hub in the Making
The Adani Group’s $2.1 billion airport is a major infrastructure milestone aimed at decongesting Mumbai’s air traffic and transforming it into a global transit hub, akin to Dubai, London, or Singapore. Additionally, plans are in place to develop an “aero city” around the airport to enhance non-aviation revenue streams.
Both Mumbai’s existing airport and the upcoming Navi Mumbai Airport are managed by the Adani Group, giving the conglomerate leverage in negotiations with airlines over flight relocations.
Requests for comments from Adani Group, Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa remained unanswered at the time of reporting.
Connectivity Concerns
A key challenge in attracting passengers and transit travelers to the new facility is the lack of high-speed transport links between Navi Mumbai and the existing airport. While a metro line connecting both airports is planned, it is still years away from completion.
Airline executives revealed that discussions with Navi Mumbai airport officials are centered on securing favorable time slots and negotiating incentives on airport fees. These incentives are critical in helping airlines offer competitive fares, ensuring passengers choose the new airport despite connectivity concerns.
Operational Plans and Capacity
The new airport, featuring a terminal with a lotus-shaped design inspired by India’s national flower, will initially accommodate 20 million passengers annually. Depending on demand, capacity can be expanded in phases to handle up to 90 million travelers over the next decade.
Some airlines have been advised to prepare for a transition between April and June for domestic operations, while international flights are expected to commence in August. Additionally, Adani Airports is in talks with Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline network, including Air India, to facilitate member carriers’ transition to Navi Mumbai.
Testing Readiness
A trial flight by Air India’s wide-body aircraft, primarily used for international routes, is planned for April to evaluate the airport’s preparedness for global operations. The first validation flight at Navi Mumbai took place in December 2024 with IndiGo’s single-aisle Airbus A320.
Adani Group Under Scrutiny
The final stages of this megaproject will test the Adani Group’s ability to deliver large-scale infrastructure while facing legal scrutiny. The conglomerate has been under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice over alleged bribery claims.
U.S. federal prosecutors accused Gautam Adani, Asia’s second-richest individual, and his nephew, Sagar Adani, of attempting to bribe Indian government officials with over $250 million for solar energy contracts while concealing information from U.S. investors. The Adani Group has denied all allegations.
