PM Modi to inaugurate Navi Mumbai airport today: 7 facts about India’s first ‘fully digital’ airport

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) will handle 20 million passengers annually through one runway and terminal in the initial phase.

Updated on: Oct 8, 2025, 15:05:44 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday (October 8), as Mumbai joins the list of a handful of cities across the world with multiple airports, including London, New York, and Tokyo. The state-of-the-art airport is expected to begin commercial operations in December.

Commercial operations will begin in December. (ANI)

The airport has been built under a public-private partnership between Adani Airport Holdings and CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd).

Also Read | Key metro line, Navi Mumbai Airport, meet with Starmer: PM Modi's big 2-day Mumbai visit kicks off today

Here are a few key facts about the Navi Mumbai airport:

1. The Navi Mumbai International Airport will be India’s first fully digital airport and will include facilities for pre-booking vehicle parking slots, as well as online baggage drop and immigration services. It will also be supported by a fully automated, AI-enabled terminal.

2. The 1,160-hectare airport will handle 20 million passengers annually through one runway and terminal in the initial phase. At full capacity, the airport will be able to handle 155 million passengers annually through four terminals and two runways.

ALSO READ | Navi Mumbai International Airport opening: Here’s a look at affordable housing options for homebuyers under ₹1 crore

3. The airport has been built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore and is projected to generate more than two lakh jobs across sectors, including aviation, logistics, IT, hospitality, and real estate.

4. Several airlines, including IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air, have already shared plans to start operations and flights linking different cities across the country.

5. Commercial operations will begin in December with about 40 per cent international traffic, eventually rising to 75 per cent. The airport will initially operate for 12 hours daily, officials said.

6. Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL), described the Navi Mumbai airport as an “anxiety-free airport” due to its automation and digital facilities. “We are experimenting with AI-enabled baggage tracking in Ahmedabad, and here, you will be able to get a message on your phone telling you, for example, that your bag is number 20 on the carousel,” he said.

7. The Navi Mumbai airport will be India’s first major aviation hub connected to several transport systems, including expressways, metro and suburban rail networks, and waterway services.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.