Smoking at Navi Mumbai International Airport – NMI

Yes, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) has designated smoking zones. The airport frames itself as a smoke-free airport with select smoking lounges. Airside, after security, there is a smoking lounge at the post-domestic-security checkpoint (below the CIP lounge) and another at the post-international-security checkpoint, plus Level 3 CIP lounges in the international-east and domestic-west areas. Landside, there is a smoking zone at international arrivals opposite immigration and one at domestic Level 0 by the elevators. Commercial operations began on 25 December 2025 and the airport has run 24x7 since February 2026.

In the news: Navi Mumbai International Airport began commercial operations and its official smoking lounges are now confirmed.

Navi Mumbai International Airport (IATA: NMI; ICAO: VAMV) is the Adani-Group-developed greenfield airport at Ulwe, about 35 km from central Mumbai and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). It is now Mumbai’s second commercial airport and was built to relieve BOM, which has been operating beyond design capacity for years. Phase 1 has a single terminal and a single runway, with an annual passenger capacity of 20 million.

Opening Timeline

• 8 October 2025: Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• 25 December 2025: First commercial flights — initially around 22 daily departures.
• February 2026: Full 24x7 operations confirmed once staffing and ATC procedures stabilised.
• March 2026 summer schedule: Domestic network expanded from 16 to 46 destinations.
• 29 March 2026 (original target): International operations were planned but postponed due to the West Asia conflict that erupted in late February 2026.
• April 2026: ~22,000 daily passengers across roughly 160 aircraft movements; scaling toward 78 daily departures.
• May 2026 (target): International operations expected to begin, with around 35 daily international flights according to CIDCO.

Terminal Layout — Phase 1

NMI Phase 1 is a single integrated terminal building handling both arrivals and departures. The terminal is large, modern, and built around clear linear concourses — the kind of layout where most gates are within a 10-12 minute walk of the central security and baggage claim hall. A second runway is already under construction, and a third runway has been planned.

Domestic departures and arrivals are operational and active. International departures are not yet flying as of April 2026 but are expected by May 2026.

Smoking at Navi Mumbai Airport

NMI describes itself as a smoke-free airport with select smoking lounges. The operator’s official guidance documents specific airside and landside locations, set out below.

Landside (Pre-Security)

Landside, NMI provides a smoking zone at international arrivals, opposite immigration, and another in domestic arrivals on Level 0, by the elevators. Outdoor kerbside smoking is also permitted at the departures and arrivals frontages, in line with standard Indian airport practice — look for the smoking pictogram and ash bins. The kerbside areas have generous breathing room, since NMI’s drop-off zones were designed with future capacity in mind.

If you are coming by road, the multi-level car park has standard “no smoking inside” rules; step outside the car park structure to the kerbside zone for a smoke before entering the terminal.

Airside (Post-Security)

After security, NMI provides a smoking lounge at the post-domestic-security checkpoint, located below the CIP lounge, and a smoking lounge at the post-international-security checkpoint. In addition, the Level 3 CIP lounges in the international-east and domestic-west areas accommodate smokers. This matches India’s COTPA framework, under which airports handling international traffic provide enclosed smoking rooms after security.

Practical tip: Once you clear security, head for the smoking lounge at your checkpoint — domestic departures sit below the CIP lounge — or look for the cigarette pictogram on the ceiling signage. If you have CIP lounge access, the Level 3 lounges on the international-east and domestic-west sides also allow smoking. Your own lighter is surrendered at the checkpoint, so — as at other Indian airport smoking rooms — these lounges are expected to have wall-mounted electric lighters; here’s how the machines work, with video.

Airlines Operating from NMI

As of April 2026:

• IndiGo (6E)
• Akasa Air (QP)
• Air India Express (IX)
• Star Air

IndiGo previously committed to scaling up to 100+ daily departures from NMI by March 2026, though that figure remains a roadmap rather than a current reality. International operations from May 2026 are expected to include Middle East routes given the airport’s scale and Adani Group’s existing carrier relationships.

NMI vs BOM — Which Mumbai Airport?

NMI and BOM are completely separate airports approximately 35 km apart, with no airside connection. If you are booking a flight to or from “Mumbai”, confirm the IATA code carefully:

• BOM — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, in Andheri, central Mumbai. Mature smoking facilities across T1 and T2 (full guide).
• NMI — Navi Mumbai International Airport, in Ulwe (Navi Mumbai). Phase 1 facilities still maturing (this page).

Note that BOM’s Terminal 1 begins partial closure for redevelopment in Q3 FY26, with traffic shifting to BOM T2 and NMI through 2028-29 — so over the next few years the practical balance of Mumbai air traffic between the two airports will shift further.

All Smoking Zones at Navi Mumbai Airport

If you are connecting via other Indian airports, see our guides for Mumbai Airport (BOM), Delhi Airport (DEL), Bangalore Airport (BLR), and Hyderabad Airport (HYD). For the other major new Indian airport, see our Noida International Airport (DXN) page.

For India airport smoking rules, the PECA vape ban, lighter-machine instructions, and other rules, see our India smoking guide.

Useful Links

• Navi Mumbai International Airport — Official Site
• NMI Flight Status