Mumbai: The demolition of Mumbai’s Terminal 1 will only take place once the second terminal at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is fully operational, a move designed to ensure a seamless transition of air traffic between the two hubs. This phased approach aims to ease congestion in India’s financial capital while expanding the region’s aviation capacity.
The transition plan linking Terminal 1’s demolition to the development of Navi Mumbai’s second terminal is intended to prevent disruption to passengers and maintain continuous air services in the region.
PM Modi to inaugurate Navi Mumbai Airport tomorrow
Navi Mumbai airport is set to be inaugurated on October 8 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the culmination of years of planning and development. Commercial operations are expected to begin by mid-December, with airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa set to operate from day one. Decisions regarding which flights to relocate and which new routes to launch are still being finalised, while international carriers are expected to join in phases once night operations receive regulatory clearance.
Initially, NMIA will operate between 8 AM and 8 PM, but it will be ready to handle international flights from the first day of operations. Following the inauguration, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will take charge of security checks, after which the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will grant final approval for commercial services.
Joint venture between Adani Group & CICDO
The airport, developed in multiple phases by Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd, is a joint venture in which the Adani Group holds a 74 per cent stake, while CIDCO, the Maharashtra government’s land development agency, owns the remaining 26 per cent. The greenfield facility will open with a single runway and a terminal building capable of handling 20 million passengers annually, roughly one-third of Mumbai airport’s current capacity.
In recognition of the late DB Patil, a politician and social activist who championed the rights of project-affected communities, the airport will be named in his honour.
With the inauguration scheduled to be presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the launch of NMIA is expected to reshape Maharashtra’s aviation landscape, providing relief to Mumbai airport and establishing a modern hub for domestic and international travel.