Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Navi Mumbai International Airport on Wednesday, October 8, marking a major milestone in India’s aviation sector. With its launch, Mumbai joins the ranks of global cities like London, New York, and Tokyo that operate multiple international airports.
Developed through a public-private partnership between Adani Airport Holdings and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is India’s first fully digital and AI-enabled aviation hub. Commercial flight operations are expected to commence in December this year.
Spread across 1,160 hectares, the greenfield airport will initially handle 20 million passengers annually with one runway and terminal, eventually expanding to four terminals and two runways with a total capacity of 155 million passengers per year.
Built at an estimated cost of ₹19,650 crore, the airport is projected to generate over 2 lakh jobs across aviation, logistics, IT, hospitality, and real estate sectors. Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air have announced plans to operate from NMIA, with initial flight schedules targeting 40% international traffic—expected to rise to 75% over time.
The wait is finally over!
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 7, 2025
After decades of wait, a new era of connectivity is set to begin with the inauguration of The Navi Mumbai International Airport, tomorrow at the hands of Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji.
Built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore, it has an annual passenger handling… pic.twitter.com/Z5bqrNwonc
The airport boasts cutting-edge digital facilities, including AI-powered check-in and baggage systems, digital immigration, pre-booked parking slots, and an online food ordering app for passengers. The terminal features 66 check-in counters, 22 self-baggage drop points, 29 aerobridges, and 10 bus gates, along with an 80-room transit hotel and lounges for 500 travellers.
NMIA is India’s first major aviation hub with integrated multimodal transport links. It connects directly to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Sion-Panvel Highway, and Ulwe Coastal Road, while the operational Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1 and upcoming Metro Line 8 will link it to Mumbai’s existing airport. Plans for water taxi and high-speed rail connectivity are also underway.
Inside the terminal, travellers can experience immersive digital art installations, interactive exhibits celebrating Mumbai and Maharashtra’s heritage, and a children’s play area. Retail facilities cover 5,000 sq m, including 1,800 sq m of duty-free outlets at both arrivals and departures, ensuring a world-class passenger experience from takeoff to touchdown.
