Navi Mumbai International Airport will begin with 12-hour daily operations from 8 am to 8 pm during its first two months of service, allowing officials to test the stability of all systems and processes, according to sources familiar with the plan.

The airport is set to be inaugurated on 30 September, as per the deadline laid down by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Initially, it will handle only domestic flights, with 24-hour operations expected to begin with the winter schedule in October.

So far, IndiGo and Akasa Air have confirmed plans to launch services from the new airport, while talks are underway with other airlines to finalise their operational schedules.

A source noted that starting with limited hours will help identify and resolve early-stage issues before full-scale operations begin. The passenger terminal will open 2–3 hours prior to the first flight to accommodate check-ins.

In its first phase, the airport is designed to handle approximately 20 million passengers annually, translating to a capacity of around 30 air traffic movements per hour. However, in the initial period, traffic is expected to remain modest at 8–10 movements per hour.

Chief Minister Fadnavis, after reviewing the site on Saturday, confirmed that around 94 per cent of the construction is complete. He stated that the airport would be the most modern in India and directed officials to ensure it features the world’s fastest baggage claim system.

Operational readiness trials are currently being conducted, with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Directorate General of Civil Aviation scheduled to inspect the facility for aerodrome licence clearance.