Akasa Air and Adani Airport Holdings Team Up to Enhance Mumbai’s Dual-Airport Vision with New Operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport

Published on June 6, 2025

Akasa Air has partnered with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL) to strengthen Mumbai’s dual-airport strategy by launching operations at the soon-to-be-opened Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This strategic collaboration marks a significant step in the expansion of Akasa Air’s network, offering enhanced connectivity and contributing to the decongestion of Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). By establishing a presence at NMIA, Akasa Air underscores its commitment to revolutionizing India’s aviation sector, providing passengers with more travel options and a seamless flying experience.

Akasa Air, recognized as India’s fastest-growing airline, has today unveiled a significant strategic alliance with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL), the leading operator of public-private partnership (PPP) airports in India. This collaboration will mark the commencement of Akasa Air’s commercial flight services from the soon-to-be-launched Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). As one of the first airlines to establish operations at NMIA, Akasa Air underscores its dedication to revolutionizing Indian aviation with enhanced connectivity and sustainable growth. This move further strengthens India’s dual-airport approach for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Initially, Akasa Air will launch over 100 weekly domestic departures, with plans to expand to more than 300 domestic flights and over 50 international services weekly during the winter schedule. As part of its long-term network expansion strategy, the airline is aiming to establish up to 10 parking bases by the close of FY2027. The focus will also be on ramping up international routes, particularly targeting key markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

By adding NMIA to its expanding network, Akasa Air reaffirms its forward-looking vision to offer passengers more travel choices and seamless flying experiences, while actively contributing to the continued growth of India’s dynamic aviation industry.

Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO, Akasa Air said: “Our foray into Navi Mumbai International
Airport 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. This move
supports our commitment to supplement existing capacities, unlock new demand centres, and
enable sustainable growth”
“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.

Mr. Arun Bansal, CEO, AAHL, added: “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 is poised to establish itself as a leading global transportation hub, featuring state-of-the-art infrastructure, top-tier passenger services, and extensive connectivity. Initially, the airport will manage 20 million passengers and 0.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo each year, with future expansion plans targeting a capacity of 90 million passengers and 3.2 MMT of cargo annually.

Akasa Air’s entry into NMIA marks a significant step in its nationwide growth strategy. The airport’s opening will create a complementary dual-airport network for Mumbai, helping alleviate congestion at the city’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and significantly improving the overall travel experience. With enhanced capacity across both airports, the region will see new opportunities for economic growth, benefiting both the Mumbai Metropolitan Area and Maharashtra at large. Akasa Air’s partnership with NMIA is set to drive increased connectivity, support balanced regional development, and strengthen the airport’s position as a key player in India’s aviation landscape, catering to the dynamic demands of modern air travel.

Akasa Air’s ongoing commitment to NMIA positions the airport as a strong and competitive alternative to Mumbai’s current airport, offering travelers more options, better connectivity, and greater confidence in the city’s evolving dual-airport infrastructure.

Akasa Air has partnered with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL) to enhance Mumbai’s dual-airport vision by launching operations at the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This move aims to ease congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and expand Akasa Air’s network, offering passengers more travel options and improved connectivity.

The airline’s growing presence and early operational pledges at NMIA send a powerful message to travelers, industry participants, and international airlines, signaling that the airport is ready to become an integrated, reliable, and forward-thinking aviation facility. This reinforces the belief that Mumbai’s twin-airport strategy has the potential to revolutionize regional air travel for many years to come.