Navi Mumbai International Airport welcomes first aircraft

In a landmark moment for the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA; Airport Code: NMI), an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft successfully touched down on its South runway. The inaugural landing of the IAF C-295, a large multi-role tactical airlifter, represents a significant milestone in the Adani Group’s development of the greenfield international airport, which started in August 2021, during the pandemic and is scheduled to be operational in early 2025, says an official release. “We are proud of the progress NMIAL has made,” says Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airport Holdings. “As AAHL’s first greenfield airport, NMIAL represents years of planning, investment and hard work. We are grateful to the Government of Maharashtra, the regulatory bodies including CIDCO and Airports Authority of India and all the other stakeholders who have come together to make this project possible. This world-class airport will play a pivotal role in the region’s growth, serving as a crucial hub for travellers across the globe."

The event was attended by dignitaries including Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Co-operation and senior officials from NMIAL and AAHL. "The inaugural landing is not just a symbolic gesture but a critical milestone in the airport's journey from construction to full-scale operations. The successful touchdown of the IAF C-295 marks an essential phase where the newly built runway, taxiways, air traffic control systems and handling procedures are put to the test to ensure that the airport meets all safety, regulatory and operational requirements. It allows engineers, aviation authorities and airport operators to evaluate the performance and readiness of key infrastructure and signifies that the airport is on track to complete its final stages of development, paving the way for phased commercial operations set to begin in early 2025." Navi Mumbai Airport is designed to accommodate both domestic and international passengers, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, including a 3,700-metre runway capable of handling large commercial aircraft, modern passenger terminals and advanced air traffic control systems. Terminal 1 is projected to handle up to 20 million passengers per annum. The airport will ultimately have a capacity to handle 90 million passengers per annum and 800,000 tonnes of cargo in its initial phase, the release added.