Navi Mumbai International Airport Set For Inauguration By September End
New airport to ease congestion, handling 20 million passengers in the first phase.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), a Rs 16,000-crore infrastructure project located in Ulwe near Panvel, is slated for inauguration by the end of September 2025. Positioned as Mumbai’s second international airport alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), NMIA aims to alleviate congestion and enhance connectivity in one of India’s busiest aviation hubs. Spanning 2,865 acres, the airport is designed to eventually handle 90 million passengers annually across four terminals, positioning Mumbai among global cities like New York and Dubai with multiple international airports.
The first phase, featuring Terminal 1, is ready to commence operations with a capacity of 20 million passengers per year. The terminal boasts cutting-edge amenities, including next-generation check-in zones with automated kiosks and biometric validation, expansive waiting lounges, and single-lane security with advanced scanning. NMIA claims to have the world’s fastest baggage claim system in its initial phase, enhancing passenger experience. Domestic carriers like IndiGo and Akasa Air have confirmed operations, with international airlines expected to join soon.
Strategically located near the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Goa Highway, and JNPT port, NMIA benefits from robust connectivity. The 22-km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu) reduces travel time from South Mumbai to Ulwe to approximately 20 minutes. The City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) is constructing a 9-km elevated corridor for direct access, while the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) plans express bus services, including electric fleets, from Thane, Dadar, Vashi, and Panvel. Metro extensions and Panvel’s redevelopment as a transport hub are also underway.
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By 2032, NMIA and CSMIA are projected to collectively handle 150-160 million passengers annually, rivaling global aviation hubs like Dubai and London. This twin-airport model is expected to boost Mumbai’s economic and logistical capabilities, supporting India’s growing aviation demand. The inauguration marks a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructure development, with further details on airline partnerships and operational timelines to be announced post-launch.
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