Subhechcha Ganguly 
The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is expected to commence operations by March 2025, as announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This follows the successful landing of the first flight, an Indian Air Force-operated Airbus C295 transport aircraft, on the facility’s southern runway at 12:14 p.m. on Friday, which was celebrated with a ceremonial water cannon salute.Shinde emphasized that NMIA is set to become the largest airport in India, with a projected passenger capacity of 90 million by 2032. The airport will include two runways and four terminals, along with multimodal connectivity to Metro, rail, and road networks, greatly improving access throughout the region.
During a visit to the construction site in July, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol confirmed that the airport is on schedule to open in March 2025. The facility is anticipated to enhance connectivity with major neighboring cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and Kalyan, thereby reinforcing the region’s travel and commercial infrastructure.
Once fully operational, Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to accommodate approximately 20 million passengers annually, with plans for further expansion, positioning it as a vital hub for both domestic and international flights.
