Navi Mumbai Airport to Handle Majority of MMR’s Flights by Early 2030s

Navi Mumbai, 29 January 2025: When the Navi Mumbai airport opens in late May, passengers will face a choice between using the new airport or continuing to fly through the Mumbai airport. However, over the next decade, this decision will become less significant as Navi Mumbai Airport gradually takes the lead. Projections suggest that by the early 2030s, it will handle the majority of flights in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), making it the primary airport, while Mumbai airport will serve a secondary role.
For now, this winter, only about 20% of the 55 million passengers currently passing through Mumbai airport will use the Navi Mumbai airport. Of the 15 million passengers flying from Mumbai’s Terminal 1 (T1) in Santacruz, approximately 10 million will shift to Navi Mumbai’s T1 by the end of October, while the remaining 5 million will be accommodated at Mumbai’s Terminal 2 (T2). To handle this shift, Mumbai T2’s capacity will increase from 40 million to 45 million passengers, according to an NMIA official.
At present, all flights, both domestic and international, land on Mumbai’s single operational runway, after which passengers are transported to their respective terminals. Most general aviation flights, including private and charter aircraft, will soon begin transitioning to Navi Mumbai airport as well. As a result, air traffic congestion at Mumbai airport is expected to ease this winter, improving its punctuality. Flight holding times and waiting periods for departures are expected to reduce, enhancing on-time performance.
Looking further ahead, Mumbai airport will eventually take a backseat as the region’s secondary airport. In major cities worldwide, a primary airport is complemented by one or more secondary airports. For instance, Heathrow serves as London’s primary airport, while Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton play secondary roles. Similarly, in New York, JFK is the main airport, with Newark and LaGuardia serving as secondary options.
Currently, Mumbai airport handles 55 million passengers, and while it will remain the primary airport for the region throughout this decade, the Navi Mumbai airport is positioned to become MMR’s “secondary” airport, similar to Gatwick’s role in London. By 2024, Navi Mumbai airport is expected to handle 10 million passengers, growing to 20 million by mid-2026.
Navi Mumbai’s T1 has a capacity of 20 million passengers per year (PPA), with around 55,000 daily passengers expected. By mid-2026, it will likely reach its capacity, marking one of the fastest-growing greenfield airport terminals globally. Navi Mumbai’s T2, designed to handle 30 million ppa, will be operational by 2029. Between 2026 and 2029, both Navi Mumbai T1 and Mumbai T2 will expand to accommodate increasing passenger traffic.
In the long term, as Navi Mumbai Airport continues its expansion across 2,860 acres, it will eventually outpace the capacity of Mumbai Airport. By 2030, both airports are expected to handle over 50-55 million passengers annually, competing closely. However, by 2032, Navi Mumbai will surpass Mumbai, becoming the region’s primary airport, much like Heathrow. In 2032, Navi Mumbai’s Terminal 3 will be ready, with a capacity of 20 million passengers per year, and Terminal 4 will follow in 2036, also with a 20-million ppa capacity. This will bring Navi Mumbai’s total capacity to 90 million passengers per year, which Mumbai airport will struggle to match. Mumbai airport will take on a secondary role, much like Gatwick in London, with its limited capacity.
BVJK Sharma, CEO of Navi Mumbai International Airport, expressed confidence in the airport’s ability to meet MMR’s growing demand. He believes the airport will play a key role in the region’s development. However, the rise of Navi Mumbai airport won’t restore the MMR’s leadership in the country. With Delhi airport and the new Jewar airport, set to open this year, surpassing the combined capacity of both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports, the National Capital Region will continue to hold the top position in passenger traffic.