Navi Mumbai’s Aviation Era Begins: Akasa Air Charts a Course for 100+ Weekly Flights

Image Source: Times of India

Akasa Air is making waves with an ambitious expansion plan, announcing that it will operate over 100 weekly flights from the soon-to-open Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This positions Akasa as one of the first airlines to establish a strong foothold at Mumbai’s new aviation hub. This move is a significant milestone in Akasa’s quest to enhance regional connectivity and solidify its role as a major player in the next chapter of Indian aviation.

Key Highlights

Day-One Operations: Akasa Air is set to kick off flights from NMIA on the airport’s opening day, which is anticipated in late August 2025, starting with 15 daily domestic departures.

Aggressive Growth Plan: The airline has its sights set on ramping up to over 300 domestic and 50 international weekly flights from Navi Mumbai by the winter schedule, focusing on both tier-II cities and key international destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Dual-Hub Strategy: Akasa will maintain its 32 daily flights from Mumbai’s current Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), using NMIA as a complementary base to ease congestion and improve access throughout the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Long-Term Commitment: By FY 2027, Akasa plans to station 10 aircraft at NMIA and establish up to 10 parking bases across the country, aligning with its vision for strong domestic and international growth.

Partnership with Adani Airports: Akasa’s collaboration with Adani Airport Holdings highlights a mutual commitment to creating a future-ready, tech-savvy aviation ecosystem.

Economic Impact: This expansion is expected to tap into demand in underserved areas, boost regional development, and offer a seamless travel experience through top-notch infrastructure.

Industry Context: Akasa is the second airline, following IndiGo, to officially launch operations at NMIA, but it sets itself apart by focusing on deep connectivity to tier-II cities while maintaining a dual-hub strategy.

“No other Indian airline will have a higher proportion of its fleet and network dedicated to operations from Navi Mumbai than Akasa Air. This airport will be at the heart of our domestic and international growth story.”
— Vinay Dube, Founder & CEO, Akasa Air

With NMIA set to process 20 million passengers annually in its first phase and expand to 90 million in the future, Akasa Air’s strategic expansion positions it at the forefront of India’s next aviation boom.

Source: Mathrubhumi English, The Hindu Business Line, Times of India, Business Standard, Economic Times, Indian Express