Navi Mumbai is gearing up for the grand opening of its much-anticipated international airport on September 30, 2025. This new aviation hub, officially named Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and also known as DB Patil International Airport, is poised to transform the region, ease pressure on Mumbai's existing airport, and boost the state's economy.

NMIA's launch has been long-awaited, with several previously missed deadlines. The project, envisioned decades ago, gained momentum after the Adani Group took over in August 2021. The airport's development is planned in phases, with the first phase set to handle 20 million passengers annually. Upon completion of all phases, NMIA will have four terminals and two runways, with a capacity to manage as many as 90 million passengers per year. A dedicated cargo terminal is also planned, with an initial capacity of 800,000 tonnes annually, scalable for future growth.

The airport's design reflects a blend of Indian culture and modern technology. Zaha Hadid Architects designed the lotus-inspired terminal, combining aesthetics with operational efficiency. NMIA will also be a "digital-first" airport, implementing an in-house app called 'aviio' to provide real-time information to employees of various stakeholders, including airlines, ground handling companies, and security agencies. This app streamlines processes and enhances collaboration, ensuring smoother operations. Passengers can also benefit from digital amenities such as pre-booking security slots and ordering food and beverages via the app.

NMIA is designed with a strong focus on sustainability. It will operate on 37 MW of renewable energy, and all on-site vehicles will be electric or powered by alternative fuels. The airport also features an ultra-fast baggage handling system using 360-degree barcode scanning, promising one of the world's fastest baggage claim experiences.

Connectivity is a key priority for NMIA. The airport will be accessible via road, rail, and water transport, supported by infrastructure projects like the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (Atal Setu), the Coastal Road, and a proposed elevated link road to Thane. These connections will make NMIA a convenient option for travelers from Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and surrounding regions.

While the formal inauguration is scheduled for September 30, regular passenger flights are expected to begin in late October or early November. IndiGo and Akasa Air are among the first airlines confirmed to operate from NMIA. IndiGo plans to start with 18 daily flights to over 15 cities, increasing to 79 daily departures by March 2026, including 14 international destinations. Akasa Air intends to operate approximately 100 domestic flights each week initially, increasing to over 300 domestic and 50 international flights weekly by November 2026.

The opening of NMIA is expected to have a significant impact on Navi Mumbai and its surrounding areas. Property values have already surged in anticipation of the launch, and the airport is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) is planned as a smart city with real estate, warehousing, IT parks, and commercial centers, attracting foreign investment and potentially rivalling Mumbai's established business districts.