Sun Dec 28 18:39:09 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article:

Summary:

The Indian newspaper The Hindu reports that IndiGo will begin direct, daily flights between Tamil Nadu (Chennai and Coimbatore) and the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) starting December 29, 2025. These flights will initially operate within NMI’s first phase of operational hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). The move aims to provide passengers with more choice, given the high air traffic volume at Mumbai’s existing airport.

News Article:

IndiGo Launches Direct Flights to Navi Mumbai Airport from Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI, December 29, 2025 – IndiGo has commenced direct, daily flights connecting Chennai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu to the newly opened Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI). The inaugural flights took off today, December 29, 2025, marking a significant step in connecting South India to the burgeoning aviation hub.

The airline is deploying its 186-seat, all-economy class Airbus A320 aircraft on these routes. Currently, flights are scheduled within NMI’s initial operational hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but the airport is expected to operate 24/7 by February 2026.

“Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is known for its congested airspace,” an aviation source told The Hindu. “These new flights to NMI will offer air passengers a much-needed alternative and greater convenience.”

IndiGo already operates nine daily flights from Chennai and three from Coimbatore to Mumbai’s existing airport. The airline will now be the first to offer direct service from Tamil Nadu to NMI, competing with Air India on the broader Mumbai sector.

The Chennai-NMI route (flights 6E 898/899) is strategically aimed at business travelers, departing Chennai at 6:10 a.m. and returning from NMI at 7:40 p.m. The Coimbatore-NMI flights (6E 860/861) depart NMI at 9:00 a.m., arriving in Coimbatore at 10:45 a.m., with the return flight departing Coimbatore at 11:15 a.m.

The launch of these flights is expected to boost connectivity and provide more efficient travel options for passengers traveling between Tamil Nadu and the Mumbai metropolitan region.

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