Tata Group-owned Air India is set to conduct a test flight to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) in April 2025. This test flight aims to assess the airport’s readiness for widebody international aircraft operations. The new airport, India’s first multi-nodal aviation hub, is scheduled to officially open on April 17, 2025.
IndiGo Airlines was the first to complete a validation flight at NMI in December 2024, using a single-aisle Airbus A320. India’s low-cost carriers, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, are expected to lead the transition to the new airport. The shift is part of a broader strategy to ease congestion at Mumbai’s primary airport and enhance the region’s aviation capacity.
Air India will continue to operate full-service international flights from Mumbai’s existing airport while gradually relocating domestic operations to Navi Mumbai. Located 22 miles southeast of Mumbai, the USD 2.1 billion airport is designed to alleviate congestion and support the city’s growing air traffic demand.
Authorities envision Navi Mumbai Airport as a major international transit hub, comparable to Dubai, London, and Singapore. The project includes plans for an “aero city,” which will generate additional non-aviation revenue streams and enhance the overall passenger experience.
The Adani Group, which manages both the existing Mumbai airport and the new Navi Mumbai facility, holds a strategic advantage in overseeing airline relocations. With Air India’s test flight, the airport moves one step closer to becoming a key player in India’s aviation landscape.
