PM Modi Inaugurates First Phase of Navi Mumbai International Airport, India’s First Fully Digital Air Hub

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, October 8, inaugurated the first phase of the highly anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), marking a major milestone in India’s aviation infrastructure. Positioned as the country’s first fully digital airport, NMIA is expected to redefine the passenger experience through advanced technology and seamless travel features.

Developed by the Adani Group in collaboration with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the Navi Mumbai airport has been constructed at an estimated cost of ₹19,650 crore. The new airport positions Mumbai among a select group of global cities like London, New York, and Tokyo that are served by multiple international airports. Once operational, NMIA will complement the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, easing air traffic congestion and supporting the growing passenger load in the region.

Commercial flight operations at NMIA are scheduled to begin in December 2025. Ticket sales are expected to start by the end of October this year, with airlines like IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express already preparing to launch their services from the new facility.

One of the key highlights of NMIA is its emphasis on digital convenience, setting it apart as India’s first airport designed entirely around digital infrastructure. Among its features are online baggage drop booking, pre-booking for vehicle parking, and digital immigration services. Passengers will also receive real-time updates about their baggage and gate details on their phones, reducing confusion and delays at every stage of their journey.

Describing NMIA as an “anxiety-free” airport, Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), said the focus is on making air travel smoother and more predictable. “You will be able to get a message on your phone telling you, for example, that your bag is number 20 on the carousel,” Bansal explained.

The airport is being developed in five phases, with the first phase now complete and subsequent phases planned to expand capacity and infrastructure over the coming years. NMIA is expected to play a crucial role in boosting economic growth, tourism, and connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

As the countdown to flight operations begins, Navi Mumbai is set to take off as a global aviation hub with a strong digital backbone.