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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

International flights from July 1

Mumbai: Mumbai’s rapidly expanding second aviation hub may be preparing for its biggest operational leap yet. International flight operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) are tentatively expected to commence from July 1, according to sources familiar with the development, although details regarding participating airlines, destinations, and flight frequencies are still being finalized. If the timeline materializes, the move would mark a significant milestone for the greenfield...

International flights from July 1

Mumbai: Mumbai’s rapidly expanding second aviation hub may be preparing for its biggest operational leap yet. International flight operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) are tentatively expected to commence from July 1, according to sources familiar with the development, although details regarding participating airlines, destinations, and flight frequencies are still being finalized. If the timeline materializes, the move would mark a significant milestone for the greenfield airport, which has already witnessed sharp growth in domestic passenger traffic within months of beginning operations on December 25, 2025. Aviation industry observers believe the introduction of international services could substantially accelerate traffic redistribution across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region while easing pressure on the heavily congested Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). Sources indicated that discussions are underway with multiple carriers regarding slot allocation and operational readiness. However, officials maintained that the July 1 date remains tentative and subject to regulatory clearances, airline preparedness, and completion of final operational protocols linked to immigration, customs, and international passenger handling systems. The expected rollout comes at a time when NMIA is already demonstrating strong operational momentum. Airport officials said the facility is currently handling more than 148 air traffic movements (ATMs) daily, translating into approximately 20,500 passengers every day. Around 10,500 of these passengers are outbound travelers, reflecting growing demand from flyers increasingly shifting to the new airport. Officials noted that the airport’s traffic growth has been accompanied by relatively stable operational performance. According to airport authorities, on-time arrivals currently stand at 96.4%, while on-time departures are recorded at 86.7%. Industry experts say such figures are considered robust for an airport still in its initial expansion phase. The proposed international launch is also expected to strengthen NMIA’s role in Mumbai’s broader aviation ecosystem. Industry stakeholders believe airlines may initially deploy short-haul Gulf and Southeast Asian routes from the airport before gradually expanding to longer international sectors depending on passenger response and bilateral slot availability. Officials have previously projected that NMIA could eventually handle nearly 50,000 passengers daily, more than double its current throughput. Analysts say the commencement of international operations could significantly accelerate that target. Experts believe international connectivity could now become the airport’s defining next phase. “Domestic operations established the airport operationally, but international flights will determine how quickly NMIA evolves into a true global gateway,” an aviation consultant said. Passengers, meanwhile, are expected to benefit from reduced congestion, shorter turnaround times, and modern terminal infrastructure. With CSMIA operating under significant slot constraints, NMIA’s emergence is increasingly being viewed as essential to sustaining Mumbai’s long-term aviation growth.

Omar welcomes Indus Water Treaty suspension, calls it “most unfair document” for J&K



SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday welcomed the Central government’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. He also referred to the treaty as the “most unfair document” for the people of J&K.


“The Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, let’s be honest. We have never been in favour of the Indus Waters Treaty. We have always believed it to be the most unfair document to people of J&K,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar after meeting representatives from the tourism, trade, and industry sectors. However, he noted that the long-term impact of this move is still uncertain.


The IWT suspension is part of India’s response to the brutal attack. Other actions include expelling Pakistani military attaches and shutting down the Attari land-transit point immediately.


When questioned about the impact of the April 22 attack on the region’s tourism industry, Abdullah dismissed concerns about monetary losses. “At this juncture, we are not counting rupees or paisa. Not one of the businessmen or stakeholders in the tourism industry who attended the meeting lamented the loss of business. Not one of them expressed any concern about what would happen to them.”


“Right now, our priority is to express solidarity with the bereaved,” he said, adding, “At some point in future, we may sit down to discuss the financial implications (of the attack) on J&K’s economy. But not a single stakeholder present in the meeting raised a demand for monetary relief for the losses they are suffering.”


Omar described the tourist exodus from J&K after the massacre as “heartbreaking”. The future of the Valley’s tourism sector remains uncertain, with widespread trip cancellations following the attack.

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