Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), India’s first fully digital airport, built at a cost of around ₹19,650 crore. The project is expected to boost tourism, trade, real estate, and green innovation. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present at the event.
According to officials, the airport will eventually handle up to 90 million passengers a year and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo.
Inside the new airport
The Navi Mumbai International Airport features a fully automated, AI-enabled terminal offering facilities such as pre-booked parking, online baggage drop, and digital immigration services. Its lotus-inspired design, with glass façades and open spaces, creates a bright, modern atmosphere.
NMIA will be India’s first airport connected by Water Taxi and will include dedicated storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air have already announced plans to operate from the airport, linking it to major Indian cities.
IndiGo is expected to begin operations with 18 daily flights to 15 destinations, later expanding to 79 daily departures, according to Mint.
Operations to begin in December 2025
Commercial flights are set to start in December 2025, with about 40% of the traffic expected to be international. Initially, the airport will operate for 12 hours a day, with international operations gradually increasing to 75%.
Serving as the second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, NMIA will work alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to help reduce congestion.