PM Modi to open Navi Mumbai digital airport
Navi Mumbai International Airport will initially handle 20 million passengers annually with one runway and terminal.
PM Modi to Inaugurate Navi Mumbai International Airport: Seven Key Facts About India’s First Fully Digital Airport
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday, October 8, marking a major milestone in India’s aviation history. With the new airport, Mumbai joins a select group of global cities such as London, New York, and Tokyo that operate multiple airports to cater to rising air traffic. The state-of-the-art facility is slated to begin commercial operations in December.
The Navi Mumbai airport has been constructed under a public-private partnership between Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO), combining private sector efficiency with public sector planning.
Here are seven key facts about the airport:
1. India’s first fully digital airport
The NMIA is being hailed as India’s first fully digital airport. Passengers will have the convenience of pre-booking parking slots, as well as online baggage drop and immigration services. The airport’s terminal will be supported by fully automated, AI-enabled systems, streamlining check-in, security, and boarding processes. Arun Bansal, CEO of AAHL, described the facility as an “anxiety-free airport,” noting innovations like AI-enabled baggage tracking, where travelers will receive notifications on their phones indicating the exact location of their luggage on the carousel.
2. Passenger capacity
Spanning 1,160 hectares, the airport will initially handle 20 million passengers annually through a single runway and terminal. At full capacity, the NMIA is designed to manage 155 million passengers per year, supported by four terminals and two runways, positioning it as one of India’s largest aviation hubs.
3. Investment and employment generation
The airport has been constructed at a cost of ₹19,650 crore and is expected to create over two lakh jobs across sectors such as aviation, logistics, IT, hospitality, and real estate. This massive investment is anticipated to boost the region’s economy while strengthening India’s infrastructure footprint.
4. Airline operations
Several major carriers, including IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air, have already announced plans to operate flights connecting various cities across the country. The airport is poised to become a crucial node in domestic and international aviation networks, offering passengers a seamless travel experience.
5. Commercial operations
Commercial operations are expected to commence in December, initially running 12 hours daily. About 40% of the traffic will be international in the beginning, with projections indicating this will rise to 75% over time, reflecting the airport’s global connectivity ambitions.
6. Automation and AI features
The airport’s AI-enabled systems are designed to reduce passenger stress and improve efficiency. From automated check-in and baggage handling to smart security, the technology ensures a smoother, faster, and safer journey. “We are experimenting with these systems in Ahmedabad, and here in Navi Mumbai, passengers will have real-time updates on their luggage via their smartphones,” Arun Bansal explained.
7. Connectivity and transport integration
The NMIA will be India’s first major aviation hub seamlessly integrated with multiple transport systems. Passengers will have access to expressways, metro and suburban rail networks, and waterway services, ensuring easy connectivity to Mumbai and surrounding regions. This multimodal integration is expected to set new benchmarks in airport planning and urban mobility.
The inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport represents a significant step forward in India’s aviation and infrastructure development. It promises not only to enhance air connectivity but also to drive economic growth, create employment, and deliver a world-class passenger experience through its advanced digital and automated systems.
As Mumbai prepares to welcome its newest airport, the NMIA stands as a symbol of India’s technological progress and ambition in global aviation, offering both efficiency and convenience to millions of travelers each year.