Noida and Navi Mumbai Airports: A Game-Changer for India's Air Travel
India’s busiest cities, Delhi and Mumbai, are set to revolutionize their air connectivity with the opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport and Noida International Airport. These new hubs promise to offer more flights, better timings, and expanded international connections.
Navi Mumbai International AirportNoida International AirportAir TravelAviation SectorIndiaReal Estate MumbaiOct 05, 2025
The change marks a big shift for India’s aviation sector, long marked by just one major airport in each of its busiest cities despite rising air traffic and growing international travel by Indian flyers. Goa had already beaten both by opening Mopa Airport in January 2023 alongside Dabolim, becoming India’s first multi-airport city, the report added.
For passengers, these new hubs mean more choices and direct connections, not just between Delhi and Mumbai but to a wider global network. For airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa, NMIA and NIA represent strategic capacity expansions.
As per the report, industry insiders believe this will transform Delhi-NCR and Mumbai-MMR into true aviation megahubs, with operating scale to rival hubs in the Middle East and Europe, and position Indian carriers as stronger global connectors.
“Once NMIA Terminal 2 is operational by 2030, it could be dedicated to a major airline and its partner,” Jeet Adani, Director (Airports), Adani Group, recently told ToI. He envisaged a possible alliance split: “One airport could become the base for OneWorld and the other for Star Alliance. Together, this will help India capture more of the global transit traffic that currently moves through hubs in the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and Europe.”
The joint ventures behind these projects: GMR, Flughafen Zurich, and Adani, expect footfalls at the new airports to match or surpass those at their existing facilities. For Mumbai and Goa, the existing airports already face capacity constraints. For Delhi, though IGI operates three terminals and four runways, it has yet to reach saturation. NIA’s arrival could accelerate Delhi’s growth as India’s largest air hub.
Goa’s experience offers a glimpse of what lies ahead. Between April 2018 and March 2019, Dabolim handled 84.6 lakh passengers. After Mopa’s launch in January 2023, traffic across the two airports crossed 1.1 crore in April 2023 - March 2024. Delhi and Mumbai could see even larger shifts, with Delhi effectively operating three airports once Hindon Airbase, now serving Air India Express, IndiGo, and UDAN flights, expands capacity.
An airline executive noted and told TOI, “NIA and NMIA have large catchment areas, and will need to quickly add terminals and runways. These airports mean more flights, better timings, and more capacity. With big aircraft orders from IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa, we can also expect growth in international bilateral routes, for example with Dubai, which is already India’s largest international destination.”
NIA CEO Christoph Schnellmann recently told TOI, “We believe in India’s aviation future. NIA will add essential capacity for Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh, enhancing connectivity and providing travellers and businesses with more options. This will boost trade, tourism, and commerce in the region.”
But early days may bring challenges, especially for NIA, located about 60 km from Noida in Jewar. Former AAI chairman V P Agrawal pointed out, “Connectivity is key. If it takes two to three hours to reach these airports or the cost is high, passengers will rethink their choice of airport.” While central and state governments have plans for multi-modal links to NMIA, NIA, and IGI through metro, rail, and bus networks, these remain years away from completion.
For Delhi and Mumbai, however, the opening of these second airports marks a major milestone, a step toward transforming India’s aviation landscape and giving its busiest cities the scale and connectivity of the world’s leading air hubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Navi Mumbai International Airport open?
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) will open on October 8, 2025.
What is the significance of Noida International Airport?
Noida International Airport (NIA) will add essential capacity for Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh, enhancing connectivity and providing more options for travellers and businesses.
How will these new airports affect air travel in Delhi and Mumbai?
These new airports will offer more flights, better timings, and expanded direct international connections, transforming Delhi and Mumbai into true aviation megahubs.
What challenges might NIA face in its early days?
NIA might face challenges related to connectivity, especially since it is located about 60 km from Noida in Jewar. Efficient multi-modal links through metro, rail, and bus networks are still years away from completion.
Which airlines are expected to benefit from these new airports?
Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa are expected to benefit from these new airports through strategic capacity expansions and potential growth in international bilateral routes.
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