PM Modi Inaugurates Navi Mumbai International Airport: India’s First Fully Digital Aviation Hub

In a major boost to India's aviation infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday, October 8. With this launch, Mumbai joins an elite list of global cities—such as London, New York, and Tokyo—that operate multiple international airports. The Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed through a public-private partnership between Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO). Set across 1,160 hectares, this state-of-the-art airport is designed to revolutionize air travel in India, offering a seamless, fully digital experience to passengers. India’s First Fully Digital Airport Touted as India’s first fully digital airport, NMIA will incorporate cutting-edge technology to simplify and automate the travel process. Passengers will be able to pre-book parking slots, check in their baggage online, and even go through digital immigration procedures. The terminal will be powered by AI-enabled systems aimed at reducing wait times and eliminating common travel-related stress. Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings, called NMIA an "anxiety-free airport," highlighting its high degree of automation. “We are already testing AI-powered baggage tracking in Ahmedabad, and at NMIA, passengers will receive alerts about their baggage—for instance, which number their bag is on the carousel,” he said. Massive Passenger Capacity and Future Plans In its first phase, the Navi Mumbai International Airport will feature one terminal and a single runway, capable of handling up to 20 million passengers annually. However, the long-term vision is ambitious: once fully operational with four terminals and two runways, the airport aims to accommodate up to 155 million passengers per year, positioning it as a major global aviation hub. Commercial Operations Begin in December Commercial flights are set to commence in December 2025, with operations initially running for 12 hours daily. In this early stage, NMIA is expected to handle about 40% international traffic, which is projected to rise to 75% over time. Several airlines, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express, have already announced plans to operate from the new facility. Boost to Economy and Connectivity Constructed at a cost of approximately ₹19,650 crore, NMIA is expected to generate over 2 lakh jobs across sectors such as aviation, logistics, hospitality, IT, and real estate. Furthermore, the airport will be India’s first major aviation hub with direct connections to multiple modes of transport—expressways, metro lines, suburban rail, and waterway services—ensuring unparalleled connectivity for passengers and cargo alike. As India continues to modernize its infrastructure and expand its global footprint, the inauguration of Navi Mumbai International Airport by PM Modi marks a significant milestone. It not only strengthens Mumbai’s position as a key international gateway but also sets new benchmarks for the future of air travel in the country.

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