Navi Mumbai Airport Launch on October 8: Flight Bookings, Bus Routes, Road Access and Key Details
Navi Mumbai Airport Launch on October 8: Flight Bookings, Bus Routes, Road Access and Key Details
The long-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set to be inaugurated on October 8, marking a major milestone in Maharashtra’s aviation infrastructure. As excitement builds, travellers are eager to know about ticket sales, flight operations, and connectivity options from Mumbai and Thane.
Ticket Sales to Begin by End of October
According to airport authorities, ticket bookings for NMIA flights are expected to open by the end of October. Leading airlines including IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express have confirmed their readiness to operate from the new terminal. IndiGo is likely to operate the first commercial flight from the airport.
Flight Operations to Begin With 8–10 Flights Daily
Initially, 8 to 10 flights will operate every morning, with plans to scale up to 20–30 flights per hour depending on passenger demand. NMIA is expected to significantly decongest the Mumbai airport and improve air connectivity across western India.
Connectivity from Mumbai and Thane
While some infrastructure projects such as Atal Setu, Thane Unnat Marg, and Metro Line 8 are still under development, temporary access to the airport will be available through the Belapur–Ulwe route.
- From Thane, Palghar, and Raigad: Travellers can take the Eastern Expressway via Mulund or Airoli, or the Thane–Kalwa–Vitawa–Digha–Nerul–Belapur–Ulwe route (approx. 35–40 km).
- From Western Suburbs: The Western Expressway–JVLR–Vashi Creek Bridge route (approx. 40–45 km) provides convenient access.
- From South Mumbai: The airport can be reached from Worli via Atal Setu and Ulwe–Belapur.
Air-Conditioned Bus Services to Start Soon
To enhance commuter convenience, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) will launch 50 air-conditioned bus services connecting Vashi, Thane, and Mumbai directly to the new airport.
Airport Code and Cargo Operations
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has assigned NMIA the global code “NMI”, which airlines are already using for bookings.
On the logistics front, NMIA aims to become a major cargo transport hub for western India. The initial goal is to handle 5 lakh metric tonnes of cargo, with a target to reach 32 lakh tonnes in the coming years. The eastern cargo terminal has already been completed to facilitate this growth, providing a significant boost to Maharashtra’s industries, exporters, and traders.
