Navi Mumbai International Airport Expected to Commence Operations in May 2025
Navi Mumbai International Airport Expected to Commence Operations in May 2025
The entire state of Maharashtra is excitedly anticipating the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), scheduled for April 17, 2025, as confirmed by officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This announcement follows a recent evaluation conducted by the DGCA. Domestic flights are likely to commence from May 15, 2025, adding to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the new airport.
In December 2024, concerns were raised regarding the airport’s readiness after a commercial flight validation test, where an IndiGo A320 aircraft successfully landed on runway 08/26. Despite this success, some issues regarding the airport’s preparedness were highlighted. However, a new assessment revealed that 90 percent of these concerns had been addressed by the airport operators.
The airport operator is now in a position to apply for the aerodrome license by February 28, in accordance with aviation regulations. The Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), which is a crucial document detailing flight operations for pilots and operators, is expected to receive approval from the DGCA by March 5 or 7. Following this, the AIP will be published before April 30, allowing for the official commencement of operations at the airport.
The function of the new airport:
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the second busiest airport in India, accommodating between 40 to 50 million passengers annually, according to various reports. However, it operates with just one runway, managing around 40 to 50 flights each hour and over 950 aircraft daily. To ease the congestion at this airport, the establishment of a second international airport is essential. Navi Mumbai was selected as the site for the new airport due to its spacious land, providing a solution to the capacity constraints faced by Mumbai’s current airport.
Once the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) is issued, the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set to commence operations in May, with the inaugural date confirmed for May 15, 2025. The operators are optimistic that this new greenfield airport will help alleviate the burden on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which is currently operating at full capacity with only one runway.
A recent on-ground evaluation involved key officials, including Vipin Kumar, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Prakash Nikam, Regional Director of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), along with representatives from Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO). This assessment aimed to evaluate the airport’s readiness for operations. NMIA is a collaborative project between AAHL and CIDCO.
