Navi Mumbai: The first phase of the much-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) will be inaugurated on October 8, marking a major milestone in India’s aviation sector. Developed under a public–private partnership between Adani Airport Holdings (74%) and CIDCO (26%), the airport is poised to generate over two lakh direct and indirect jobs while transforming Mumbai into a dual-airport hub comparable to global aviation capitals.
Spread across 1,160 hectares, the airport features lotus-inspired architecture blending Indian heritage with sustainable design. In its initial phase, NMIA will handle 20 million passengers annually, with long-term plans for four terminals and two runways. Once fully operational, NMIA and Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) together are expected to manage 155 million passengers per year, along with cargo operations growing from 0.5 million to 3.2 million tonnes.
Equipped with AI-enabled systems, biometric processes, and digital twin technology, NMIA has already secured its aerodrome license from the DGCA. To support the project, Navi Mumbai Police has requested 177 new traffic wing posts for mobility and security around the precinct.
The Maharashtra Government has also received Centre’s nod to name the airport after late D. B. Patil, who championed the rights of project-affected people.
Officials say the airport will catalyze growth across aviation, logistics, IT, hospitality, real estate, and allied sectors, cementing its role as an economic anchor for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
