GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 12th Sept: The Rs 16,000-crore Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), anchored at Ulwe near Panvel, is slated for inauguration by the end of September, marking a major expansion of Mumbai’s aviation network.
Spread over 2,865 acres, NMIA will serve as the city’s second international airport after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). Designed to handle up to 9 crore passengers annually across four terminals, its first phase—Terminal 1 with a 2 crore passenger capacity—is ready to begin operations. The terminal will feature advanced security lines and what is billed as the world’s fastest baggage claim system.
Passenger Amenities:
⦁ Next-generation check-in with automated kiosks and biometric validation
⦁ Expansive waiting lounges and single-lane security with advanced scanning
⦁ State-of-the-art baggage claim designed for speed and efficiency
Connectivity Boost
Located near the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, Goa Highway and JNPT port, NMIA will be connected to the city through multiple corridors. The 22 km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu) will cut travel time from South Mumbai to Ulwe to about 20 minutes. CIDCO is also building a 9 km elevated corridor for direct access, while MSRTC plans express and electric bus services from Thane, Dadar, Vashi and Panvel. Metro extensions and Panvel’s redevelopment as a transport hub are also in progress.
Airlines & Facilities
Domestic carriers IndiGo and Akasa Air will operate from the new airport, with international airlines expected to follow. NMIA will house India’s largest general aviation terminal with 75 business jet stands, a heliport, dedicated cargo terminals initially handling 8 lakh tonnes annually, an MRO facility, and an advanced ATC tower.
By 2032, NMIA and CSMIA together are projected to manage 15–16 crore passengers annually, placing Mumbai alongside global hubs such as Dubai, London and New York.
