Tag: NMIA

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Navi Mumbai Airport opens with first flights

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) marked a historic moment this week as it moved closer to full operations, celebrating the milestone with a grand drone show and the start of commercial flights. The new airport is expected to significantly reduce the burden on Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which has been operating at near full capacity for several years.

Ahead of its operational launch, NMIA hosted a spectacular mega drone show, with more than 1,500 drones lighting up the night sky. The coordinated aerial display showcased visuals symbolising India’s progress, sustainability, aviation growth and the future of Mumbai’s connectivity. Images of aircraft, green energy themes and the airport logo were formed in the sky, drawing large crowds and creating excitement around the launch.

Commercial operations officially began on December 25, making it a landmark Christmas Day for Indian aviation. The first flight to land at the airport was an IndiGo service from Bengaluru, which was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute. Soon after, the airport saw its first departure, with a flight heading to Hyderabad. These inaugural flights marked the start of regular passenger services at the long-awaited airport.

Speaking on the occasion, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said Mumbai had been struggling with airport congestion for nearly a decade. He noted that the new airport would provide much-needed relief to passengers and airlines, while also supporting the city’s growing economic and travel needs. He described the launch as a proud moment for Mumbai and Maharashtra.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed under a public-private partnership, with Adani Airports Holdings Limited as the majority stakeholder and CIDCO, a Maharashtra government body, as the public partner. Once fully completed, the airport is planned to handle up to 90 million passengers annually, making it one of the largest airports in the country.

Airport officials highlighted that passenger comfort, smooth operations and accessibility have been key priorities in planning. Facilities have been designed to cater to both domestic and international travellers, with a focus on efficiency and affordability.

With flights now operational, NMIA is expected to play a major role in strengthening air connectivity, boosting regional development and supporting India’s fast-growing aviation sector in the years ahead.

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Navi Mumbai Airport opens on Dec 25 with road-only access

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) will begin operations on December 25, but access will initially be limited to road-based travel.

Dedicated metro and direct rail connections are still under development and will be introduced in later phases. Passengers can reach the airport via private vehicles, taxis and buses, with the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link offering the fastest route, though with tolls.

Suburban train users can travel up to Targhar station and complete the last stretch by road. Authorities advise travellers to plan journeys carefully and allow extra travel time.

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Corporate

Adani banks on ‘group of airports’ policy to boost NMIA

Adani Airports Holdings Ltd is placing strong emphasis on the Centre’s ‘group of airports’ policy to scale up operations at the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which is scheduled to begin commercial services on December 25. The policy allows two or more airports in a region to be managed as a single system, enabling coordinated capacity planning, tariff alignment and smoother distribution of air traffic.

Jeet Adani, director at Adani Airports, said NMIA is not just an additional airport but a structural solution to Mumbai’s long-standing aviation constraints. Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) operates with a single runway and has been handling traffic well beyond its designed capacity, particularly during peak hours. By integrating NMIA and CSMIA under the group-of-airports framework, authorities aim to ease congestion while supporting sustained growth in passenger and cargo traffic.

One of the key elements under review is a unified tariff structure for both airports. This would ensure that airlines and passengers are not discouraged from using NMIA due to cost differences, enabling a more balanced distribution of flights. The integrated approach is also expected to help airlines plan schedules more efficiently across the two airports.

In its initial phase, NMIA will operate for limited hours with a modest number of flights, gradually expanding to round-the-clock operations. International flights are expected to follow in the later stages. The airport will also take over general aviation and business jet operations currently handled at Mumbai airport, freeing up valuable slots at CSMIA for commercial flights and improving overall safety and efficiency.

Beyond aviation, NMIA is being positioned as a major economic hub for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Adani Airports plans to develop commercial infrastructure around the airport, including logistics, retail and support services, which are expected to generate significant employment opportunities.

With the group-of-airports policy at its core, NMIA is envisioned as a long-term solution that will not only decongest Mumbai’s overburdened airport but also future-proof the region’s aviation growth for decades to come.

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