Written by avid traveller and friend Prathanmesh Kini
Date: 25 Dec 25 | Flight: 6E 837 (Navi Mumbai to Ahmedabad) | Seat: 7A
The Approach: Early Bird Advantage
Starting from Dadar in South Mumbai on a public holiday, the approximately 25km distance was covered in a surprisingly swift 50 minutes. However, let the speed not fool you as the “last mile” is still very much a work in progress.
Pro Tip: Be prepared for a bit of confusion involving Google Maps, rideshare drivers, and local security. Many approaches and exits are not yet fully operational, so factor in extra time to navigate the final stretch to the terminal.
Terminal Atmosphere & Check-In
Arriving at 6:30 AM for a 10:10 AM departure allowed me to soak in the “Day 1” energy. The air was thick with excitement and a sense of history.
The Welcome: The IndiGo staff were all smiles, encouraging passengers to use the selfie booth. Although I missed the official cake-cutting ceremony for the inaugural Hyderabad flight, staff were still offering slices of the celebratory cake to those checking in later.
The Souvenir: Traveling with only a cabin bag, I made sure to get my physical boarding pass printed—a perfect memento of the fifth flight ever to depart from this airport.
Security & Airside Observations
Navigating a brand-new facility always has its quirks –
Signage: It isn’t yet clear if domestic and international security will be integrated. Signs pointing both left and right for “All Gates” may cause some confusion for early travelers.
Security Process: As expected on Day 1, security was a bit of a bottleneck with limited personnel to guide the flow. My bag was flagged for a “red beep” but was cleared quickly by the CISF without needing to be opened.
Amenities: The terminal is a work in progress—construction dust is visible on seating areas and the large airside windows. While some F&B outlets are open and signs for a lounge are up, the lounge itself is not yet operational.
Gestures: In a nice touch, Coca-Cola was handing out complimentary tins and bag tags. Large LED screens throughout the terminal showcased Mumbai’s soul: local trains, the Gateway of India, and the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja. Here is an early bet – the large circular LED screen at security will be the “main draw” at NMIA like the garden at BLR T2.
The Tarmac & A Heartwarming Sight
We witnessed the Indian flag hoisting ceremony attended by Mr. Gautam Adani, Suryakumar Yadav, and several defense veterans. A last-minute change from an aerobridge to a bus gate is a treat for all avgeeks. The long drive across the tarmac provided a front-row seat to the day’s on tarmac VIPs:
Special Aircraft: Spotted Mr. Adani’s private B737BBJ parked on the apron.
The Highlight: Most touching was an Air India Express charter. A good-hearted samaritan had booked the flight specifically to take the helpers and construction staff—the people who built the airport—on a well-deserved joyride.
The “Eagle-Eyed” Departure
Taking off from Runway 26 towards the West provided a view that no Mumbai resident should miss. Sitting in 7A, I watched the city unfold:
South Mumbai: We recognized the Minerva (India’s tallest building), ITC Lalbaug, Marine Drive, Mahalaxmi Race Course, Shivaji Park, and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
The Overfly: We overflew CSMIA (Mumbai Airport) at approximately 10,000 feet, looking directly down at the famous cross-runway intersection.
Just last week, I was looking up at a contrail over Mumbai, wondering when I would be able to see the city from an eagle-eyed perspective. I never realized it would happen this soon, or that it would be this spectacular.
The flight concluded with views of Mumbai Metro Line 2A and the Global Pagoda at Gorai as we tracked parallel to the Western Express Highway.
Final Verdict
Navi Mumbai International Airport is a massive leap for the city’s infrastructure. While there are teething issues to be ironed out, the experience of being there on Day 1 was an absolute joyride.
Note: All pictures are exclusive copyright of Prathamesh Kini and cannot be reused without explicit written permission.
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