Modi inaugurates ₹19,650 crore Navi Mumbai International Airport to rival Heathrow, Incheon

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the first phase of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), built at a cost of around Rs 19,650 crore, marking a historic milestone in India’s aviation sector.

The airport finally opened after decades of planning, missed deadlines and anticipation, promising to reshape the way Mumbaikars fly. The Adani offering aspires to rival global benchmarks like Heathrow and Incheon airports.

The Navi Mumbai Airport received its aerodrome license from the DGCA on September 30 and is expected to start operations by December.

First phase details and future plans
The airport’s first phase features one terminal and one 3,700-meter Code F runway, catering to 20 million passengers annually.

NMIA will be the first airport in India to be connected by water taxi. It also includes an Automated People Mover (APM) linking all terminals, landside APM connectivity, and dedicated storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Spread across 1,160 hectares, India’s largest greenfield airport is being developed by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL) in partnership with CIDCO. Upon full completion by 2036, NMIA is expected to handle 90 million passengers annually, more than double the capacity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).

NMIA is expected to directly employ 25,000 people, with an indirect impact on over 60,000 more. By 2036, the airport aims to employ over 100,000 people, becoming a cornerstone of India’s aviation future.

Why Mumbai needs a second airport
In an exclusive ET Online interview in January 2025, NMIA CEO BVJK Sharma explained, "Given the civil aviation burden on Mumbai airport, the new airport will share an additional quantum of capacity. This will ease congestion, open up more slots, and provide better timelines for airlines."

He added, "The design incorporates elements of freedom and infinity, inspired by a lotus. Operationally, we aspire to match Heathrow’s efficiency and Incheon’s cargo expertise."

(This video was shot in January 2025)

Global airlines’ body IATA said the airport will ease capacity constraints in the Mumbai region, strengthen connectivity, and bring greater economic and social benefits to the country.

Sheldon Hee, Regional Vice President, Asia-Pacific at IATA, said, "Aviation contributes USD 53.6 billion to India's economy and supports 7.7 million jobs. Navi Mumbai Airport will ease the capacity constraints in the Mumbai region, strengthen connectivity, and bring even greater economic and social benefits to the Indian economy."

Passenger Experience and Technology
NMIA is designed for a seamless, modern passenger experience, including:

• AI-powered predictive systems for passenger flow and runway management
• Digi Yatra-enabled entry to boarding
• Hands-free baggage handling with real-time tracking
• 110 retail and F&B outlets, featuring artisanal tea, Mumbai-based Bombay Bond, casual dining, chef-curated concepts, street food at arrivals, breweries, and global cuisines
• Domestic departures with kids’ play zones and immersive digital tunnels narrating stories of Mumbai, Maharashtra, and India
• CIP lounges for approximately 500 passengers
• Transit/day hotel with 80 rooms for short stays
• Pranaam meet-and-greet services and dedicated areas at the arrival forecourt
• Underground fuel hydrant system and SAF tanks (1,200 KL capacity)
• Eco-friendly transit with EV buses

Terminals and Operational Highlights

• Runway: 3,700-meter Code F runway; second parallel runway planned
• Terminal 1: 20 million passengers per year in first phase
• Final phase aircraft Stands: 245 stands, 07 cargo stands, 79 general aviation stands, and 16 GA hangars
• 66 check-in counters in phase 1; 22 Self-baggage Drop; 29 Aerobridges; 10 Bus Boarding Gates 10
• Cargo: 0.5 million metric tonnes per annum initially; 3.2 million metric tonnes in final phase, including automated/semi-automated material handling, pharma & perishable logistics, hazardous material zones, express cargo, live animal management, and high-security zones
• Digital systems: IoT monitoring, automated baggage handling, 5G connectivity, smart traffic management, Wi-Fi-enabled, strong cybersecurity, and aviio app for airport stakeholders

Connectivity Boost
NMIA boasts strong mobility connections:

• Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu): Wadala to NMIA in 35 minutes via Sewri and Chirle
• Toll-Free Access: Vashi toll removal improves local traffic
• North & South Routes: Fully developed, southern entry is signal-free
• Metro Connectivity: Planned by 2029, linking Belapur, CSMIA, and other key areas
• 14 km from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), 22 km from MIDC Taloja, 32 km from Thane, and 40 km from Bhiwandi
  
  

Timeline and Expansion

• Phase 1 (2025): Terminal 1 to be operational by December with 20 mn passengers capacity
• Terminal 2 (2029): 30 million passengers per annum
• Terminal 3 (2032): 20 million passengers per annum
• Terminal 4 (2036): 20 million passengers per annum, completing 90 MPPA
  

Sustainability in focus
NMIA emphasizes a green airport model:

• 47 MW solar power generation in final phase
• Low-flow fixtures and rainwater harvesting to minimize freshwater demand
• EVs on airside to reduce emissions
• Rockfill construction for runway and tarmac
• Passive cooling via lotus-inspired netted structures
• Automated People Movers (APMs) to reduce internal transport emissions