Gautam Adani welcomes first passengers at launch of Navi Mumbai International Airport

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) officially commenced commercial operations today, marking a major milestone in Mumbai’s aviation landscape. The new airport, developed by Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), is designed to reduce congestion at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and provide the region with a robust multi-airport system.

President Gautam Adani marked the occasion by welcoming passengers of the inaugural flight, IndiGo 6E460 from Bengaluru, which landed at 8 am with a ceremonial water cannon salute. On the first day of operations, more than 4,000 passengers were welcomed on 48 flights, connecting nine national destinations. Peak traffic from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. reflects strong initial demand, highlighting the airport’s operational preparedness.

Speaking at the event, President Adani highlighted that the opening of the NMIA represents not only a proud moment for Mumbai and India, but also a significant achievement in nation building, with emphasis on speed, purpose and ambition. He highlighted the diversity of groups of people who came together to witness this historic event, symbolizing India’s pioneering spirit.

“It was a deeply moving moment to stand alongside Param Vir Chakra award winners Captain @banasinghpvc and Major Subedar Sanjay Kumar as the @navimumairport (NMIA) welcomed its first-ever passengers. At that moment, alongside the war heroes, stood the other quiet architects of the nation – the workers who built this airport with their bare hands and unbreakable spirit… Their blessings, their courage and their resilience pushes us every day to build bigger, serve better and work harder in the service of the nation,” Adani wrote on X (formally Twitter).

The event featured a rich cultural programme, including performances of traditional Maharashtrian dance and music, creating a festive atmosphere showcasing the heritage of the region. High profile personalities including sports icons Suryakumar Yadav, Mithali Raj, Sunil Chhetri and influencers like Malini Agarwal and Viraj Ghelani were present to mark the occasion. Additionally, India Post commemorated the event with a special cover featuring the NMIA terminal.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, NMIA’s striking lotus-inspired design symbolizes resilience and renewal for Mumbai and India. With an initial capacity of 20 million passengers per year, the airport is expected to reach 90 million passengers per year once completed. It will also feature world-class freight facilities, boosting logistics and contributing to regional economic growth.

NMIA is a vital addition to Mumbai’s infrastructure, providing much-needed assistance to CSMIA and supporting the rapid growth of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The airport will also play a pivotal role in Maharashtra’s economic transformation, which is expected to increase the state’s GDP by 0.5% and contribute to real estate growth in surrounding areas.

Navi Mumbai International Airport Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is a new flagship project designed to meet the growing air traffic demand of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The NMIA is part of a public-private partnership led by Adani Airports Holdings Limited and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO).