Navi Mumbai Gets Second International Airport as Modi Inaugurates NMIA
Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra – Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), marking a significant milestone for India's aviation sector and giving Mumbai a second international airport. Built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore (approximately $2.36 billion), the airport is poised to ease congestion at the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and boost connectivity for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and beyond.
Speaking at the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of the new airport in establishing the region as a major connectivity hub in Asia. He noted that the NMIA would directly connect Maharashtra's farmers to international supply chains, enabling the swift export of fresh produce to markets in Europe and the Middle East. He also emphasized the airport's potential to reduce logistical costs for small and medium-sized industries, attract increased investment, and foster the creation of new businesses.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, draws inspiration from the lotus flower, India's national flower. The design reflects a blend of cultural identity, modern aesthetics, and sustainable practices. The airport is also set to be India's first fully digital airport, featuring biometric e-gates, facial recognition boarding, smart baggage handling, and automated passenger processing.
Developed through a public-private partnership (PPP) between Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the NMIA is spread across 1,160 hectares. In its first phase, the airport will operate with one runway and one terminal, capable of handling 20 million passengers annually. Upon completion of all phases by 2036, NMIA is expected to handle 90 million passengers and 3.25 million tonnes of cargo per year, making it one of the largest airports in Asia. The airport will feature two parallel Code F-compliant runways, each 3,700 meters long and 60 meters wide. Terminal 1 will include 66 check-in counters, 22 self-baggage drop points, 29 aerobridges, and 10 bus boarding gates.
Commercial operations are slated to begin in December 2025, with initial flight windows from 8 am to 8 pm, managing 10 air traffic movements per hour, scaling up to 40 as operational readiness improves over the following six to nine months. Several airlines, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express, have announced plans to operate flights from the new airport, connecting various cities across India.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has lauded the NMIA, stating that it will ease capacity constraints in the Mumbai region, strengthen connectivity, and bring greater economic and social benefits to the country. The airport is expected to directly employ 25,000 people, with an indirect impact on over 60,000 more, and aims to employ over 100,000 people by 2036.
The commissioning of NMIA makes Mumbai the first major metro city in India to have two operational international airports. CSMIA currently handles over 5 crore passengers annually and is near saturation. The second airport is expected to cut congestion by 30-40%, reduce flight delays, and create new aviation corridors across western India.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport is also expected to drive economic growth and real estate development in the Navi Mumbai-Panvel-Raigad corridor. Analysts anticipate rapid expansion in logistics, hospitality, and housing projects around Ulwe, Kharghar, and Dronagiri, with property values already surging in anticipation of the airport's opening.
In addition to inaugurating the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Prime Minister Modi launched the Mumbai One app, which offers commuters integrated mobile ticketing across multiple public transport operators. He also dedicated the entire Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) to the nation, further enhancing connectivity in the region.
