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The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is on the cusp of revolutionizing air travel in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Scheduled to commence operations on April 17, 2025, this ambitious project represents a significant investment in India's aviation infrastructure and promises to alleviate the chronic congestion plaguing the existing Mumbai airport. The successful completion of a commercial test flight on Sunday, featuring an IndiGo A320 aircraft landing on runway 08/26, marks a pivotal milestone in the airport's development. This achievement paves the way for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to grant the necessary aerodrome license, bringing the airport's opening date significantly closer.
Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), the majority stakeholder in the NMIA joint venture, unveiled a phased operational plan. Domestic flights are projected to commence in the second half of May 2025, with international operations slated for the end of July. This strategic rollout is designed to manage the initial passenger influx and ensure a smooth transition to full operational capacity. The ₹16,700 crore investment in NMIA underscores the commitment to enhancing India's air connectivity and catering to the burgeoning demand for air travel in the region. The airport's ultimate capacity will reach 90 million passengers annually upon completion of all five phases of construction, significantly exceeding the current capacity of Mumbai's single-runway airport, which currently handles approximately 50 million passengers annually.
Phase one of the NMIA project will focus on a single runway and a terminal capable of handling 20 million passengers per year. This initial capacity, while substantial, acknowledges the need for a gradual scaling up of operations. The completion of the flight calibration of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) ahead of the test flight showcases the meticulous attention to safety and operational efficiency that is being implemented. The ceremonial water salute accorded to the IndiGo aircraft upon its landing exemplifies the significance of this achievement and the enthusiasm surrounding the upcoming launch. The success of the test flight is also a testament to the collaborative efforts of AAHL and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), the other stakeholder in the project.
The construction of the second terminal, designed to add another 30 million passengers' annual capacity, is already underway and targeted for completion by March 2028. This phased approach allows for a controlled expansion to meet the projected growth in air traffic. While the first terminal is limited to 20 million passengers annually, the airport aims to handle 10-12 million passengers annually by December 2025, gradually increasing to 20 million by mid-2026. This projected increase indicates a strategic scaling of operations to accommodate growing demand while ensuring efficient use of resources. The airport's operational efficiency is further enhanced by each runway's capacity to handle 50 air traffic movements per hour, which is a considerable improvement over the existing Mumbai airport's single-runway limitation.
The anticipation surrounding the NMIA's launch is palpable among airlines. While airlines express eagerness to utilize the new infrastructure, Bansal clarified that a complete shift from Mumbai's existing airport is unlikely. Instead, a strategic division of operations between the two airports is anticipated, enabling efficient capacity utilization across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This approach balances the advantages of the new airport with the established infrastructure and networks of the existing facility. The NMIA is poised to be a game-changer, not only reducing congestion at Mumbai Airport but also offering a considerable boost to the region's tourism and trade sectors. The project’s long-term vision envisions a seamless integration of air travel infrastructure that caters to the region's growth well into the future.
Source: Navi Mumbai International Airport Set For April 2025 Launch After Milestone Commercial Test Flight