PM Modi Launches Phase 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport: A Leap Forward in Digital Aviation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, a state-of-the-art facility that is set to revolutionize air travel in the region. The airport, built at a cost of approximately ₹19,650 crore, is India's first fully digital airport, boasting advanced technology and modern conveniences.
The newly launched airport is expected to significantly boost real estate growth, tourism, trade, and green innovation. PM Modi was accompanied by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the inauguration ceremony. The airport is designed to eventually handle 90 million passengers annually (MPPA) and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo, as reported by news agency PTI.
Inside the Navi Mumbai International Airport, visitors will experience a fully automated, AI-enabled terminal with modern conveniences such as pre-booking for parking, online baggage drop, and streamlined immigration services. The terminal's design is inspired by the lotus, featuring open spaces, expansive glass façades, and natural lighting to create a bright and contemporary atmosphere.
NMIA will also be the first airport in the country to be connected by Water Taxi, adding a unique transportation option for passengers. The airport will also feature dedicated storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry.
Airlines including IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air, among others, have already announced plans to launch services from NMIA, linking the airport to major cities across India. IndiGo, for instance, has stated that it will start operations at NMIA with 18 daily departures to 15 destinations and will scale up to 79 daily departures, as reported by Mint.
Commercial operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport are set to begin in December 2025, with around 40 percent of the traffic expected to be international. Officials noted that the newly launched airport will initially function for 12 hours a day, with international operations projected to rise to 75 percent over time.
As the second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, NMIA is set to work in tandem with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to ease congestion and enhance the overall travel experience for passengers.
