PM Modi to Inaugurate Navi Mumbai International Airport Today
India’s first fully digital airport set to begin operations in December; built at ₹19,650 crore, NMIA will handle 155 million passengers annually at full capacity and create over 2 lakh jobs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday, October 8, marking a significant milestone in India’s aviation sector. With this launch, Mumbai will join a select group of global cities such as London, New York, and Tokyo that boast multiple international airports. The NMIA is expected to begin commercial operations in December.
Developed under a public-private partnership between Adani Airport Holdings and CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd), the airport aims to redefine the air travel experience in India. It will be the country’s first fully digital airport, offering advanced features like online baggage drop, immigration services, and the option to pre-book vehicle parking slots. A fully automated and AI-enabled terminal will enhance the efficiency and comfort of passengers.
Spread over 1,160 hectares, the Navi Mumbai airport will initially operate one terminal and a single runway, handling up to 20 million passengers annually. Once fully completed, the facility will feature four terminals and two runways, with the capacity to manage 155 million passengers a year.
The project has been built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore and is expected to create over two lakh jobs across various sectors including aviation, logistics, IT, hospitality, and real estate. Several airlines, including IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air, have already indicated their interest in launching operations from the new airport, connecting it to cities across the country.
Commercial operations will begin in December, starting with a 12-hour operational window daily. Initially, around 40 percent of the traffic is expected to be international, gradually increasing to 75 percent over time.
Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airports Holdings Ltd, described the Navi Mumbai airport as an “anxiety-free” travel hub, thanks to its emphasis on digital and automated systems. He also highlighted plans to introduce AI-enabled baggage tracking, where passengers can receive updates on their baggage status via mobile messages.
Uniquely positioned, the airport will also be India’s first major aviation hub integrated with multiple modes of transport, including expressways, metro lines, suburban trains, and waterway services, making it a model for future infrastructure development.