Navi Mumbai International Airport To Start International Flights By May 2026

Ulwe: Marking a major milestone, Navi Mumbai International Airport is set to expand its horizons by commencing flight operations in May 2026. According to City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) Vice Chairman and Managing Director Vijay Singhal, after the successful launch of domestic services, the airport is now set to expand into international travel from May 2026. 

This development comes after earlier reports that stated plans for international operations that were deferred due to ongoing West Asia conflict. 

“Around 35 international flights are expected to operate daily from NMIA”, Singhal said. Although May 2026 has been set as the commencement of international flights, the exact date has not yet been discussed. 

Since its inception, NMIA has witnessed commendable growth in operations, increasing from handling approximately 5,000 passengers daily in December 2025 to now accommodating over 22,000 passengers and nearly 160 flight movements every day. 

In addition, Vijay Singhal said that work on the second runway at NMIA is going on, while plans for a third runway have already been initiated. With the start of the third runway, the airport’s total annual passenger handling capacity is expected to reach around 13.5 crore, significantly boosting its ability to manage future air traffic. 

As international flights are set to commence, passengers have raised worries with respect to poor connectivity and high travel costs to Navi Mumbai International Airport. Many complaints on social media regarding limited cab services and being expensive , especially for those from Mumbai’s western suburbs. Passengers ask to improve accessibility and connectivity, including  starting regular AC bus services or a rapid metro from NMIA across the city. 

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