NMIA to transform Mumbai into multimodal aviation hub

Phases and investments

The initial stages have already received an investment of nearly Rs 20,000 crore and will have one common terminal for domestic and international operations and one of the two proposed runways. This phase will be capable of serving 20 million passengers per annum (MPPA), thereby enhancing the aviation capacity of the MMR.

“Phase 1 will have 42 aircraft stands — 29 contacts and 13 remote — designed to handle 20 million passengers a year. We are aiming so that 95% of passengers go from arrival to curbside within 45 minutes,” said Prabhat Mahapatra, Chief Operating Officer, NMIA.
Inspired by the design of India’s national flower lotus, the airport will be developed in multiple phases. After the inauguration of the initial phases by September end, the Adani Group will start investments for the third phase as well, which is expected to incur an additional investment of Rs 30,000 crore. The next phase, expected to be completed by 2029, will involve setting up a second terminal and a second parallel runway, increasing the airport’s capacity to 50 MPPA.

This investment will also fund key infrastructure such as the Automated People Movers (APMs) for intra-airport travel, providing smooth transit to passengers. The enabling work for the third phase has already been completed, reflecting a forward-looking approach towards the project’s long-term vision. Upon completion of all five phases of this mega project, the second airport in MMR will have the capacity to service a whopping 90 MPPA with two runways and four terminals.

Talking about the action plan for the next phase of NMIA, Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer for Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) said, “Immediately after Phase 1 is operational, we will work on the next phase to add a second runway and new terminal, bringing capacity from 20 to 50 million passengers. Eventually, the east and west terminals together will take us to 90 million.”

Green Technology

AAHL officials say that NMIA is not just a large airport, but its development is led by a firm philosophy of a green airport. The airport has proposed to have a 47 MW solar power in its terminal phase and this will help it significantly reduce its reliance on traditional sources of energy, thereby lowering its carbon footprint.

Moreover, the airport will include low-flow plumbing fixtures to conserve water, a comprehensive rainwater harvesting system to harvest and store water for usage.

“We have implemented low-flow fittings and rainwater harvesting, and wastewater recycling are designed into the terminal to drastically cut freshwater use,” said Mahapatra.

The larger plan also involves the operation of Electric Vehicles (EVs) on the airside to check emission. The use of the rockfill technology for the apron, runway, and other facilities is an innovative engineering approach that guarantees stability and sustainability, making it a characteristic feature of airport construction. This is a reflection of NMIA’s dedication to the development of a contemporary, efficient and eco-friendly airport experience for passengers.

The airport also boasts of modern digital integration — a 5G Connected NMIA, with systems driven by data to accelerate turnaround of flights, automated baggage solutions with IATA 753-compliant real-time tracking, and a complete contactless travel experience under the Digi Yatra programme. High-speed internet, robust cybersecurity, and IoT-based monitoring will enable both operational efficiency as well as smart traffic management.

A dedicated in-house app, “aviio”, will be a one-stop platform for all stakeholders in the airport, facilitating better communication and coordination.

Passenger amenities

The airport terminal will have a kids’ play area for domestic flights and an “experimental zone” with interactive digital tunnels and kinetic installations. The installations will tell stories of Mumbai, Maharashtra, and India, providing a tribute to local communities and their heritage.

Lounges for business class passengers and commercially important person (CIP) will be divided into zones with about 500-passenger capacity. An 80-room transit/day hotel for overnight stops and extensive baggage services, such as home delivery, cloak rooms and repair, will also be available. A dedicated space at the arrival forecourt will also be developed for both visitors and passengers, providing an exclusive meeting point.

The F&B and retail options are designed to mirror the dynamic culture of Mumbai and beyond. There will be an Artisanal Tea experience and a “Bombay Bond” that convenes well-known Mumbai food and beverage brands. There will be a casual dining food hall with an extensive range of Indian and international cuisines, supplemented by chef-designed concepts, breweries, and bars. There will also be Indian street food concepts provided at the arrival forecourt.

The retail area will be around 5,000 square metres, with duty-free shops of 1,800 sqm each at departure and arrivals and there would be around 110 retail and F&B outlets.

Reaching NMIA

One of the strongest points of NMIA is its geographical advantage and multimodal connectivity. Located around 37 kilometres from South Mumbai, the airport is destined to be a hub node in the MMR’s transportation grid. The existing Sion-Panvel Highway and the recently opened Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) will offer direct, high speed road connectivity from across Mumbai and the wider MMR. The new Ulwe Coastal Road will further integrate this with direct connectivity between NMIA and the MTHL, cutting travel times for commuters substantially.

“This will be India’s first truly multimodal airport, road, Metro, suburban rail, water taxi, and high-speed train, all linking it,” said Bansal.

NMIA is linked to the suburban railway system, and the upcoming Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1 connects to Belapur and Pendhar. In addition, Mumbai Metro Line 2B is being constructed, and planned Metro Line 8 will connect CSMIA directly to NMIA, putting together an integrated urban multi-airport system. There are also plans to bring in water-taxis helping people to reach the airport at ease, at a model similar to Hong Kong, soon.

Economic impact

The new airport is projected to have an immense economic impact. In addition to catering to passenger traffic, NMIA has an ambitious cargo plan.

The first phase will have an annual capacity of 0.5 million metric tonnes (MMTPA), with a final designed capacity of 3.2 MMTPA. The cargo terminal will be cashless and paperless, and it will have a semi-automated material handling system and state-of-the-art cold chain logistics for pharmaceuticals and perishables.

“Our integrated cargo terminal can handle 0.5 million metric tonnes annually from day one, with seven widebody bays, and will scale to more than 3.2 million tonnes. It will be cashless, paperless, and equipped for cold chain pharma and perishables, said Mahapatra.

The airport has also achieved the crucial certifications of IATA-CEIV, RA3, and ACC3, which validate its world-class standards in cargo handling and security. Its strategic location near the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) — only 14 km away — and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) industrial complex will make NMIA a prime multimodal logistics gateway, stimulating commerce and trade in the region and enhancing India’s supply chain efficiency.

Airlines queue up

With the inauguration date approaching, airlines are already queuing up to fly from the new airport. IndiGo and Akasa Air have already expressed their commitment to operate out of NMIA, with talks in an advanced stage with other domestic and foreign carriers. “We are talking to all airlines; IndiGo and Akasa have already committed. Others are in advanced talks. Full Phase 1 capacity will be reached over six to nine months after opening,” said Bansal.

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