Navi Mumbai International Airport

Navi Mumbai International Airport

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), marking a major milestone in India’s aviation growth. The new airport aims to reduce heavy air traffic, strengthen regional connectivity and boost economic development.

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA)

• Location: Navi Mumbai International Airport (DB Patil International Airport) is located in Ulwe, within Panvel taluka of Raigad district, Maharashtra. It lies along National Highway 4B, close to Panvel and the Mumbai metropolitan region. 

• Phases: The development of NMIA is planned in four phases. Phase 1 includes a single runway and an integrated terminal. The first phase was inaugurated in October 2025. Subsequent phases will add a second parallel runway and additional terminals, anticipated to complete by 2029.

• Operator: The entity that will operate the airport is Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL), a special-purpose vehicle formed under a public-private partnership. NMIAL is jointly held by Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL) (74 %) and CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra) (26 %). NMIAL is responsible for design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) under the contract terms.

• Cost: The full project cost in the environmental impact assessment and planning documents was estimated in the range of ₹41,302 crore for all major phases at FY 2020 prices. The Phase 1 & 2 construction cost was reported at roughly ₹19,650 crore including runway, terminal, and basic systems. Later phases carry additional cost for terminals, cargo, MRO, and a second runway.

Features of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA)

• Overall Layout: NMIA covers about 1,160 hectares of land in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai. The site accommodates multiple runways, taxiways, aprons, terminals, support buildings, and green buffer zones. According to the plan there will be two parallel runways, each of 3,700 metres length and 60 metres width. The runway safety area per runway is about 150 metres × 60 metres. 

• Passenger Capacity: In Phase I, NMIA has Terminal 1 for both domestic and international flights. This terminal has a built-up area of approximately 234,000 square metres. This will handle about 20 million passengers per annum (MPPA) initially. Over later phases, the airport will deploy up to four terminals with cumulative capacity rising to about 90 MPPA once fully built.

• Aircraft Handling: The airport is designed for Code F aircraft, which includes large wide-bodied aircraft. Full build-out will include two parallel 3,700 m runways, with full parallel taxiways. In the final plan there will be 256 aircraft stands (138 contact stands + 108 remote stands). 

• Cargo Facilities: NMIA includes a dedicated cargo complex. In Phase I, the cargo terminal will handle about 0.5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). The cargo terminal covers roughly 35,000 square metres, of which about 10,000 square metres is for domestic operations and the rest for international handling.

• Architecture: The terminal design takes inspiration from the lotus flower, India’s national flower. These are designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The roof is supported by 12 sculptural feature columns that resemble unfolding petals and by 17 mega columns hidden beneath the canopy. The terminal has large open halls with natural lighting.

• Technology: NMIA will be a 5G-enabled smart airport under the “Connected NMIA” plan. The airport will offer Digi Yatra integration for contactless ID verification and boarding. It will also include automated baggage systems with real-time tracking complying with IATA 753 standards. The airport has IoT-based monitoring of facility operations and smart traffic management system. 

• Green Infrastructure: NMIA integrates sustainability features in its design. The Navi Mumbai International Airport is designed as one of India’s most eco-friendly airports. It integrates renewable energy systems and water recycling plants. The airport uses rainwater harvesting systems and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The terminal’s design and roofing aim to reduce heat loads using passive cooling. Solar power generation of about 50 MW in NMIA is planned in later phases. There will be storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). These efforts align with India’s Green Airport Policy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

• Passenger Amenities: Terminal 1 has approx 66 check-in counters, 22 self-baggage drop points, and 29 aerobridges, plus about 10 bus-boarding gates in Phase I. There will be lounges for business and CIP passengers with about 500 passenger capacity in future. There is space for over 110 retail and F&B outlets, a “kids’ play zone” and immersive art installations of Maharashtra are built.

• Connectivity: The airport is planned to become a multi-modal transport hub. It connects directly to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), which was opened in 2024. The Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1, Sion-Panvel Expressway, and Suburban Rail Network will link the airport to major city centers. Future plans include a dedicated high-speed corridor for buses and private vehicles to improve airport access. The internal transport between terminals will include an Automated People Mover (APM) to aid transfer between terminals. 

When Will Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) Become Fully Operational?

• The Navi Mumbai International Airport is now in its final stage before beginning commercial operations. The inauguration took place in October 2025, but the airport is not yet open for regular passenger flights. 
• The first flight operations are expected to start by the end of December 2025. The delay is mainly due to the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process, which is a crucial step before any new airport becomes fully functional.
• During the ORAT testing phase, all major systems of the airport go through detailed performance checks. It ensures that passengers will experience smooth check-in, accurate baggage delivery, and secure boarding once flights begin.
• The ORAT phase will be supervised by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) along with the operator Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL).

Significance of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA)

• Reduce Air Traffic: The Navi Mumbai International Airport will significantly reduce pressure on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Mumbai airport currently handles over 50 million passengers annually and often faces delays due to high traffic. By diverting flights, NMIA will improve punctuality and operational efficiency.

• Boost Economy: NMIA is expected to create more than 2 lakh direct and indirect jobs in aviation, logistics, retail, and hospitality sectors. This airport will attract new investment in Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas, including industrial and commercial zones. This will contribute to Maharashtra’s GDP and support the government’s vision to make Mumbai a global economic hub by 2035.

• Trade Opportunities: The airport includes a dedicated cargo terminal designed to handle over one million tonnes of freight annually in future phases. Its proximity to JNPT Port enables seamless air-sea logistics. Industries in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and western India will benefit from faster goods movement. This will lower logistics costs and boost international trade by improving import-export efficiency.