Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the highly-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport today, marking a significant milestone for the region’s trade and tourism. The premier was given a detailed tour of the airport before the official inauguration, joined by Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani.
Key Highlights from the Event:
1. The state-of-the-art Navi Mumbai International Airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi this afternoon. He received a comprehensive tour of the facility before the ceremony. Present at the event were Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani.
2. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his enthusiasm on Twitter, stating, “The wait is over. This airport will revolutionize air travel, boost Maharashtra’s growth, and provide unprecedented connectivity to the world.
3. The airport, built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore, has a capacity to handle two crore passengers annually in its initial phase. It aims to provide seamless travel and direct access to global markets for industries in Pune.
4. Navi Mumbai International Airport is a joint venture between Mumbai International Airport Ltd (a subsidiary of Adani Airports Holdings Ltd) and CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd).
5. Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, praised the collaborative efforts that brought the project to fruition, responding to his son Jeet Adani on social media, “To every hand that worked and every heart that cared, this is your creation.
6. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, emphasized the airport’s potential on Twitter, stating that it will “catapult Maharashtra to new heights” and benefit Mumbai, Pune, and the Konkan region by providing direct access to global markets.
7. The airport, India’s largest Greenfield project, boasts a 3,700-meter runway and will operate alongside Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
8. As the second international airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, it will alleviate congestion and elevate Mumbai to the ranks of global cities with multiple airport systems, such as London, Tokyo, and New York.
9. Airlines such as IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express have announced plans to commence operations, connecting various domestic destinations initially.
10. The airport is expected to commence operations in December 2025, with ticket sales set to begin by the end of October. It is India’s first fully digital airport, providing services such as pre-booked vehicle parking, online baggage drop, and digital immigration, making it an “anxiety-free” experience, according to Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airports Holdings Limited.