Navi Mumbai International Airport to Open on 17th April, Boosting Regional Air Travel

Navi Mumbai, 30th December 2024: The much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is scheduled to open on April 17, marking a major milestone in meeting the air travel demands of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

This announcement comes after the successful first commercial landing on December 29, indicating that India’s largest greenfield airport is ready to revolutionize regional air travel.

Arun Bansal, Group CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd, confirmed that the inauguration would take place on April 17, just 70 days after receiving the Air Operator Permit (AOP) on February 6.

The successful landing followed the validation of the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This system, crucial for safe pilot guidance during landings, was tested under both day and night conditions to ensure operational safety.

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

Covering 1,160 hectares, NMIA will begin with Terminal 1, capable of handling 20 million passengers annually. Plans include Terminal 2, which will increase capacity by an additional 30 million passengers per year.

Phase 2 of NMIA will begin in July next year, with designs already underway for further infrastructure expansion, which will enhance the airport’s role as a significant aviation hub.

Bansal added that construction for the second terminal will begin by June or July 2025.

The project also includes a separate cargo terminal, designed to process up to 2.6 million tonnes of cargo annually.

By 2029, NMIA is expected to handle 50 million passengers annually with both terminals in operation. The airport will feature two parallel runways, full-length taxiways, and parking for 350 aircraft.

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

Vijay Singhal, managing director of CIDCO, emphasized that the successful landing marks a crucial step in the airport’s operational readiness and demonstrates its capacity for safe operations.

Domestic flights are expected to begin by the end of May 2025, while international services are set to start by July 2025, following necessary regulatory approvals and licensing from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airport is also in the process of obtaining DGCA certifications for safety and operational compliance.

The airport’s development is part of a broader effort to alleviate congestion at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), which currently handles 52.8 million passengers annually.

NMIA is expected to generate local employment, boost the economy, and enhance global connectivity. Singhal noted that the airport would serve as a significant economic catalyst for the region, improving accessibility and growth opportunities.

The airport will complement CSMIA, forming a dual airport system that will increase capacity for both passengers and cargo. Plans are also underway to create seamless connections between the two airports through integrated road networks and metro services, further improving the efficiency and accessibility of the MMR. Singhal concluded, “This airport represents regional development and modern infrastructure, ensuring ease of access for passengers throughout the region.”