Navi Mumbai Second International Airport Prepares For September Launch
Navi Mumbai is gearing up for a transformative leap in regional connectivity with its much-awaited International Airport set to commence operations by September-end. The city’s second aviation hub, located in Ulwe, will soon issue tickets codenamed ‘NMI’ to flyers. This ₹16,700 crore greenfield project aims to significantly decongest Mumbai’s existing airport and enhance air traffic capacity across the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Domestic flights are expected to begin after the monsoon season concludes, with international services scheduled to follow in mid-2026.
Navi Mumbai International Airport, spanning 1,160 hectares, boasts two parallel runways spaced 1.55 kilometers apart, designed to support up to 45 aircraft movements per hour eventually. Initially, the airport will handle 8-10 movements hourly, scaling to 30 by April 2026. Its main infrastructure for the first two phases is complete. Airlines such as IndiGo and Akasa Air have confirmed their plans, with IndiGo scheduling 36 daily flights initially and Akasa Air beginning with 15. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended airspace restrictions through August 6 to facilitate final testing and certifications.
Navi Mumbai’s airport emphasizes multimodal connectivity, seamlessly linking road, rail, metro, and sea transport. The recently opened Atal Setu now cuts travel time from South Mumbai to approximately 40 minutes, significantly improving accessibility. This new aviation hub is designed to ease the considerable pressure on Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), one of the busiest single-runway airports globally. NMIA will initially cater to 20 million passengers annually, with plans to expand its capacity to 90 million by 2040, providing crucial relief and establishing a robust twin-airport system for the region.
Navi Mumbai’s upcoming International Airport represents a monumental step towards solidifying the region’s aviation infrastructure and economic growth. Its world-class design and advanced capabilities are poised to redefine air travel in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This strategic addition promises enhanced connectivity, greater capacity, and a significantly improved passenger experience for millions of travelers.
