Navi Mumbai International Airport to be inaugurated on April 17

Arun Bansal, Group CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd said, “We have set the target of April 17 for the inauguration of NMAI. This comes 70 days after getting the AOP (Air Operator Permit) which we are supposed to get on February 6.”

The successful landing came weeks after the Airports Authority of India (AAI) validated the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system at NMIA. The PAPI system, important for guiding pilots during landings, was rigorously tested under day-and-night conditions to ensure operational safety.

In October this year, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a test landing with a C-295 aircraft, demonstrating the airport’s ability to handle diverse types of aircraft.

Spread across 1,160 hectares, NMIA will initially operate Terminal 1, which can handle 20 million passengers annually. Terminal 2, planned for future phases, will add capacity for another 30 million passengers per year.

Phase 2 of NMIA is set to begin in July next year, with designs already underway. This phase will further expand the airport’s infrastructure and operational capacity, reinforcing its role as a key aviation hub.

Speaking about the second terminal, Bansal said, “The design works for the second terminal has already started and the construction is slated to begin by June or July next year.”

A separate cargo terminal is also part of the project, designed to handle up to 2.6 million tonnes of cargo annually.

“By 2029, NMIA is expected to accommodate 50 million passengers annually with both terminals operational,” added Bansal. The infrastructure includes two parallel runways, full-length taxiways, and parking facilities for 350 aircraft.

Developed at a cost of ₹18,000 crore, NMIA is a public-private partnership between Adani Airports Holdings Limited and CIDCO. The airport is named after Dinkar Balu Patil, a late activist and former MP who played a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of local communities during land acquisition protests in the 1970s and 1980s.

Speaking during the landing event, Vijay Singhal, managing director of CIDCO, said, “This milestone highlights the airport’s capability to facilitate safe operations and represents a significant leap toward its operationalization.”

After its April inauguration, NMIA will begin domestic operations by the end of May 2025. International operations are slated to commence by the end of July, following regulatory approvals, including licensing from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airport’s readiness includes securing verification and DGCA certifications, essential for ensuring safety and operational compliance.

The airport’s development aligns with broader goals to enhance connectivity and alleviate congestion at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which handled 52.8 million passengers in this fiscal starting from April.

Economic and regional growth

Residents of Navi Mumbai and neighbouring regions have long awaited the airport’s operationalisation. NMIA is expected to boost the local economy, generate employment, and strengthen global connectivity. “NMIA is not just an airport; it is an economic enabler for the region. It will significantly enhance connectivity and create numerous opportunities for growth,” added Singhal.

The new airport will function alongside CSMIA as part of an urban-dual airport system, significantly enhancing capacity for passengers and cargo operators. Plans are underway to establish seamless connectivity between the two airports through integrated road networks and Metro services, further improving accessibility and efficiency in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

“The airport is a testament of regional development and modern infrastructure. We are ensuring that it is well connected with every part of the MMR and there is absolute ease for the passengers by every means,” Singhal added.