By Mewati Sitaram
Mumbai is witnessing a transformative shift as the Navi Mumbai International Airport is poised to begin flight operations following its official inauguration in April this year. This marks a significant milestone in the region’s aviation development, with both domestic and international flights expected to commence soon after the launch. The airport’s operations will help alleviate the growing passenger traffic pressure on the Mumbai International Airport.
On December 29, the airport successfully completed its first flight test when an IndiGo A320 aircraft landed on runway 26/08, a crucial step toward obtaining the aerodrome license for commercial operations. The successful test was celebrated with a traditional water cannon salute for the IndiGo aircraft.
The foundation for the airport was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2018. With an investment of ₹16,700 crore, the project is designed to ease congestion at the existing Mumbai Airport while addressing the rising demand for air travel in the country.
Once fully completed, the airport will feature two runways and four terminals, with the capacity to accommodate 90 million passengers annually. The first and second phases will include one runway and one terminal, while later phases will introduce a second runway, additional terminals, and a significant increase in passenger capacity.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
