PM Modi to Inaugurate Navi Mumbai International Airport: India’s First Fully Digital Aviation Hub
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday, October 8. With this launch, Mumbai will become one of the few cities in the world, along with London, New York, and Tokyo, to operate multiple airports. The newly built facility is expected to start commercial services by December.
Key highlights about Navi Mumbai International Airport
1. The Navi Mumbai International Airport will be India’s first completely digital airport. It will offer advanced features such as pre-booking of parking spaces, online baggage drop, and digital immigration services. The terminal will operate with full automation supported by artificial intelligence.
2. Spread over 1,160 hectares, the airport is designed to manage 20 million passengers annually in its initial phase with a single runway and terminal. Once fully functional, it will be capable of handling up to 155 million passengers each year with four terminals and two runways.
3. Built at an estimated cost of ₹19,650 crore, the project is expected to generate over two lakh employment opportunities in sectors such as aviation, information technology, logistics, hospitality, and real estate.
4. Major domestic airlines like IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air have already revealed plans to operate flights from the new airport, connecting various destinations across India.
5. The airport’s commercial operations are scheduled to commence in December. Initially, it will function for 12 hours per day, handling around 40 percent international flights, which is expected to increase to 75 percent over time.
6. Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer of Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL), described the new airport as an “anxiety-free travel experience” owing to its extensive use of automation and digital technologies. He explained that passengers will be able to track their baggage in real-time and even receive mobile notifications when their luggage is ready for collection.
7. Navi Mumbai International Airport will be the country’s first major aviation hub seamlessly integrated with multiple modes of transportation, including expressways, metro lines, suburban railways, and waterway networks, offering travelers easy connectivity across the region.