Akasa Air has signed an agreement with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd to operate flights from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). Based on this deal, Akasa becomes the second airline confirmed for NMIA, following IndiGo’s prior announcement. The airline plans to begin flights by the end of August 2025, aligning with the airport’s scheduled launch.
Robust Weekly Flight Operations Planned
Akasa Air will launch with 100 weekly domestic departures, a volume expected to grow across domestic and international routes. Later, the airline aims to scale operations to 350+ weekly flights, including 50+ international services, once the winter schedule rolls out. This expansion aligns with Akasa’s plan to establish 10 aircraft parking bases by FY27, supporting its network growth across the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Enhancing Mumbai’s Dual-Airport Vision
The upcoming NMIA plans to handle 20 million passengers and 0.5 million tonnes of cargo in Phase 1, with long-term capacity reaching 90 million passengers annually. Akasa’s early commitment supports Mumbai’s evolving dual-airport strategy, easing traffic at the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. By participating from day one, Akasa aims to secure key slots, gates, and operational advantages ahead of other carriers.
Looking Ahead for Akasa and NMIA
Akasa Air plans to mount 15 daily flights at NMIA initially, later scaling to over 40 domestic and 8–10 international flights by mid-2026. This aligns with its rapid growth trajectory: recently, the airline added its 28th Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Akasa’s lead in airport operations and fleet expansion underscores its belief in NMIA’s potential as a modern aviation hub. The airline also claims it will station the largest share of its fleet at the new airport initially.
Conclusion
Akasa Air’s agreement with Adani Airports strengthens both its domestic network and Mumbai’s dual-airport model. As NMIA nears its August launch, Akasa’s early operational plans position it as a key stakeholder in the airport’s success.
