Navi Mumbai International Airport Set to Open by September End With World-Class Facilities and High-Speed Connectivity
Navi Mumbai International Airport Set to Open by September End With World-Class Facilities and High-Speed Connectivity
Mumbai is all set to welcome its second international airport as the much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) gears up for its grand opening by the end of September. Situated in Ulwe near Panvel, NMIA is one of India’s largest and most ambitious infrastructure projects, designed to ease congestion at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and position Mumbai as a global aviation hub.
Developed at a cost of ₹16,000 crore, the new airport spans approximately 2,865 acres and is being built in multiple phases. The first phase is now ready for operations and includes Terminal 1, which alone can handle up to 2 crore passengers annually. Once fully completed, the airport will operate four terminals and have a total passenger capacity of 9 crore per year.
What truly sets NMIA apart are its cutting-edge features and passenger-focused amenities. The terminal will feature next-generation check-in zones with automated kiosks and biometric validation, offering a smooth and quick passenger experience. It will also be equipped with what is being called the world’s fastest baggage claim system. Security checks will be faster thanks to single-lane screening and advanced scanning technology, while large, comfortable waiting lounges will elevate the travel experience.
Connectivity to the airport is a major highlight. NMIA is strategically located near the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Goa Highway, and JNPT port, making it accessible from multiple directions. The newly opened 22-km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, also known as Atal Setu, will cut travel time from South Mumbai to the airport to just around 20 minutes. Additional connectivity is being developed through a 9-km elevated corridor by CIDCO, express bus services by MSRTC from major hubs like Thane, Dadar, Vashi, and Panvel, and metro rail extensions. Panvel itself is being redeveloped as a multi-modal transport hub to support the new airport.
The launch of NMIA marks Mumbai’s entry into the league of global cities like London, New York, and Dubai, which operate more than one international airport. This twin-airport model is expected to handle up to 15–16 crore passengers annually by 2032, placing Mumbai among the top aviation cities worldwide.
Domestic airlines including IndiGo and Akasa Air have already committed to operate from NMIA, and several international carriers are expected to follow suit soon. The airport will also house India’s largest general aviation terminal, capable of accommodating around 75 business jets, along with a heliport and state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. A dedicated cargo terminal with an initial capacity of 8 lakh tonnes per year will further enhance Mumbai’s role as a logistics and freight hub.
