Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), also known as DB Patil International Airport, is nearing its much-anticipated launch, but significant concerns remain about its readiness for operations. After years of delays caused by bureaucratic approvals and land disputes, the airport, now under construction by Adani Group, is slated to open its first phase for domestic flights in June.
However, as the clock ticks down, the question remains: is the airport truly ready to handle operations, or is its grand opening an ambitious, if not rushed, move? The journey from South Mumbai to the airport, situated in the industrial district of Ulwe, takes over an hour—a considerable distance compared to the city’s existing airports in Santa Cruz and Vile Parle. The drive takes one through the bustling cityscape of Lower Parel before transitioning to the more industrial surroundings near the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT). The view of the Atal Setu sea bridge, which connects Sewri to Navi Mumbai, adds a touch of grandeur to the otherwise gritty, construction-heavy approach to the site. Upon nearing the airport, however, the contrast becomes glaring. The sprawling site, still in the throes of construction, looks more like a developing industrial zone than an operational international gateway. With large piles of construction material scattered across unpaved areas, it’s clear that significant work remains. The boundaries of the airport are only half enclosed by a wall, and the roads around the site are narrow and barely functional for larger vehicles. Temporary houses for workers dot the landscape, which will eventually have to be relocated before the airport can open to the public.
Despite these visible signs of incompletion, officials insist that the airport will be operational by June. While it may not be fully ready in terms of infrastructure, certain core components, such as the runway, navigational aids, and terminal building, are expected to be operational by the deadline. Yet, significant gaps remain. The terminal itself is still a work in progress, with large sections yet to be completed. Furthermore, the lack of signage and the ongoing absence of operational facilities raise doubts about how seamless the travel experience will be, particularly for passengers navigating the airport for the first time. The timing of the airport’s launch, set to coincide with Mumbai’s monsoon season, is another point of contention. Known for its severe rains and frequent flooding, Mumbai faces considerable logistical challenges during the monsoon. Experts like Vijai Agrawal, former chairman of the Airport Authority of India, express concerns over the wisdom of rushing the launch before the rains fully hit. “Monsoon in Mumbai is already chaotic. Launching during this time will only add to the confusion,” Agrawal remarked. He suggested that the airport should instead open post-monsoon when roads and drainage systems are more reliable.
In addition to the timing issues, there are also concerns about connectivity. The airport is situated on the outskirts of Navi Mumbai, with limited infrastructure currently in place to facilitate smooth access. The expected 26-kilometre elevated corridor linking Thane to NMIA, while crucial for improving accessibility, is still under construction with no clear completion date. In the meantime, the nearest railway station, CBD Belapur, is six kilometres away, requiring passengers to make an additional commute, which may be inconvenient for travellers, especially those carrying luggage. Navi Mumbai International Airport is set to become Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s second aviation hub, helping ease congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). However, its completion will take time. Terminal 1 is projected to handle up to 20 million passengers annually by mid-2026, with further expansions expected thereafter. By October 2025, the 10 million passengers currently served by CSMIA’s Terminal 1 are expected to shift to NMIA.
But will the NMIA truly be ready to shoulder this burden, especially in terms of accessibility, infrastructure, and operational efficiency? The airport is undeniably crucial for the region’s long-term aviation and economic growth, but the question remains whether it is being rushed into operation without fully meeting the required benchmarks for a seamless, sustainable, and customer-friendly experience. As the June deadline looms, the challenges facing the Navi Mumbai International Airport are far from over. It remains to be seen whether the facility can truly live up to its potential as a key gateway to Mumbai, or whether the pressing concerns over its infrastructure and connectivity will derail its ambitious launch.
Navi Mumbai Airport Faces Deadline Challenges
