Mumbai's 2nd Airport NMIA to Begin Operations on Oct 8; PM Modi to Flag Off New Gateway; All You Need to Know

After years of anticipation, the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which is also Mumbai's second airport, will finally open on October 8. It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The airport was developed by Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL), a joint venture where Adani Airports Holdings holds a 74% stake and CIDCO owns 26%. The project follows a DBFOT model (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Transfer), ensuring private investment drives much of the construction and operations.

Terminal Design and Capacity

The Navi Mumbai Airport is inspired by the lotus flower, with high ceilings, glass facades, and abundant natural light. As per reports, the first phase will accommodate 10-20 million passengers annually, with later phases expected to expand capacity up to 60-90 million per year.

Travellers can expect automated check-in kiosks, biometric e-gates, and swift baggage systems from day one. An ILS (Instrument Landing System) will also enable flights to land in low-visibility conditions, minimising weather disruptions.
According to reports, green technologies such as solar power, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly waste systems further underline its sustainable approach.

Connectivity and Transport Links

Getting to NMIA will be a lot easier thanks to major infrastructure projects. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) will dramatically reduce travel time between South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Additional roads like the Ulwe Coastal Road (UCR) and Kharghar Coastal Road (KCR) are also under development.

Integration with Mumbai Metro Lines 1 and 8 is being planned. Meanwhile, Targhar railway station on the Port Line will connect directly to the airport, with shuttle links to Panvel and Belapur stations. Ola, Uber taxis, shuttle buses, and multi-level parking will also be available.

Airlines and Cargo Operations

Several airlines are lining up to begin operations from NMIA. Air India Group has announced that it will launch 20 daily departures across 15 cities, scaling up to 55 daily departures by mid-2026, including five international routes. By winter 2026, the carrier expects to touch 60 daily flights.

IndiGo and Akasa Air have also confirmed operations from the new airport.

On the cargo side, NMIA is already equipped with cold storage facilities, modern freight terminals, and expedited customs.