The inauguration of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has been postponed to June 2025 from its previously planned date of April 17, as confirmed by Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani. The greenfield airport, currently under construction, is expected to redefine air connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Following a site visit on Sunday, Gautam Adani shared an update on social media, stating, “A glimpse into India’s aviation future! Visited the Navi Mumbai International Airport site today — a world-class airport taking shape. Set for inauguration this June, it will redefine connectivity & growth. A true gift to India!”
The Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL) is a joint venture between Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), holding a 74 per cent stake, and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), holding 26 per cent. Developed at an estimated cost of Rs 16,700 crore, the airport aims to decongest Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and cater to the increasing air traffic demand.
The airport will have two parallel runways that will allow simultaneous takeoffs and landings. It will initially handle 20 million passengers per annum (MPPA), with a long-term goal of exceeding 90 MPPA as the project progresses through multiple phases. The first phase will also include a cargo handling capacity of 800,000 tonnes annually. The infrastructure will feature a 3,700-metre-long runway capable of accommodating large commercial aircraft.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) have been actively inspecting the airport’s readiness. In December 2024, IndiGo operated a test landing of a commercial jet at NMIA, marking a key milestone. Earlier, in October 2024, an Indian Air Force Airbus C-295 became the first aircraft to land at the aerodrome. In preparation for operational readiness, NMIAL has conducted flight calibration of its Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), ensuring compliance with aviation safety standards.
NMIA will be the second airport serving Mumbai, easing congestion at CSMIA, which currently handles over 50 million passengers annually. The airport will be India’s first multi-modal connectivity airport, integrating road and rail access, a metro connection, and future plans for a waterway link. The airport’s full construction is expected to be completed in five phases, with an estimated total project cost of Rs 18,000 crore.
