Akasa Air Announces Operations From NMIA, Claims To Deploy Largest Percentage Of Fleet At Navi Mumbai International Airport

Mumbai: Akasa Air announced its strategic partnership with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL) to commence commercial flight operations from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The airline has announced that it will have the largest percentage of the fleet operating from NMIA with more than 100 weekly flights.

After IndiGo became the first airline to announce commercial flight operations from the upcoming NMIA, one of the first second city airports in India, Akasa Air also followed to announce partnership with AAHL, a major stakeholder in NMIA’s operator Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd. As one of the early airline partners to confirm operations from NMIA, Akasa Air claims to strengthen India’s dual-airport strategy for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Akasa Air has claimed that it will operate more than 100 weekly domestic departures initially, scaling up to over 300 domestic and over 50 international departures weekly in the winter schedule. As part of its broader network strategy, the airline is also set to ramp up to 10 parking bases by the end of FY2027, with a focused international expansion into key Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian markets.

Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO, Akasa Air said, "Our foray into NMIA is a strategic step aligned with Akasa Air’s long-term vision to build a future-ready airline that is responsive to the evolving needs of Indian travellers. No airline in India will have a larger percentage of its fleet and operations based out of NMIA than Akasa Air. Enhanced connectivity from Navi Mumbai will not only strengthen our network in the western region but also help fuel India’s economic engine by improving connectivity, stimulating regional development, and ensuring that the benefits of aviation-led growth reach every corner of the country.”

The airline also claimed that the move will enable decongestion of Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).

Arun Bansal, CEO of AAHL, said, "We are pleased to welcome Akasa Air as one of the inaugural airline partners at Navi Mumbai International Airport. Their rapid growth and forward-looking approach make them an ideal partner in NMIA’s journey to becoming a key domestic and international hub. Our collaboration aims to offer a seamless and enhanced travel experience for millions, with NMIA playing a central role in reshaping Mumbai’s air connectivity ecosystem."

“NMIA represents the future of Indian aviation, and our presence from the outset aligns with our vision to serve India’s emerging demand with agility, accessibility, and customer-first innovation. We appreciate our continued partnership with Adani Airports, offering expanded connectivity from this state-of-the-art airport while supporting the broader goal of regional and national aviation growth across our nation”, Dube added.

Set to become a premier global gateway, NMIA claims to offer cutting-edge infrastructure, best-in-class passenger amenities, and robust connectivity. In its initial phase, NMIA will handle 20 million passengers and 0.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo annually, with ultimate capacity expanding to 90 million passengers and 3.2 MMT cargo.