Navi Mumbai Airport Set For September Launch, Boosts Pune-Mumbai Connectivity
With over 94% of construction complete, the Navi Mumbai International Airport is gearing up for its first passenger flights by September 2025. Authorities have ramped up workforce deployment to meet the final operational timeline. Once functional, the airport is expected to handle 20 million passengers annually in its initial phase and emerge as a major logistics and connectivity hub for western India.
Officials overseeing the project confirmed that the new airport terminal will boast the world’s fastest baggage claim system, positioning it among the most efficient aviation hubs globally. The cargo capacity for the first phase is projected to reach 0.8 million metric tonnes annually. Preparations for operational readiness include completing civil work, licensing protocols, and increasing manpower strength by nearly double to meet the September 30 target. Connectivity infrastructure remains central to the airport’s launch. A comprehensive multimodal transport plan is underway to link the airport to major urban and industrial centres. Authorities are fast-tracking the Coastal Road-Atal Setu connector and proposing a direct elevated link from Thane.
Additionally, rail, metro, and waterway integrations are being coordinated to provide seamless, sustainable access for both commuters and cargo. In parallel, the long-delayed ‘missing link’ on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is now approaching completion. Officials expect the 13.5-km tunnel-bridge-road corridor, bypassing the congested Lonavla ghat stretch, to be operational by October or November. The Rs 6,695 crore project is expected to cut travel time between Pune and Navi Mumbai by nearly 30 minutes, significantly boosting regional logistics and fuel efficiency.
Once both projects are complete, the state aims to establish a powerful economic corridor spanning Pune, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and Mumbai. Experts believe this combination of air and road infrastructure could transform western Maharashtra’s connectivity, manufacturing, and export capacity, further strengthening its role in India’s economic transformation.
