Mumbai gets a second wind when the prime minister opens the first phase of Navi Mumbai Airport.

Phase 1 of the historic Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), a greenfield project that cost around Rs 19,650 crore to build, was officially opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The 1,160-hectare new airport is expected to greatly increase India’s aviation capacity and lessen the severe traffic load on Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The Prime Minister toured the recently built facility prior to the official inauguration.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Navi Mumbai International Airport, PM Modi said, “Now Mumbai has a new airport, which will be Asia’s largest connectivity hub.”

“Navi Mumbai International Airport is a project which reflects ‘Viksit Bharat’…With this new airport, farmers in Maharashtra will be connected to the markets of the Middle East and Europe. This will attract investment and new businesses to the area,” PM Modi said.

The Navi Mumbai airport launch was attended by industrialist Gautam Adani, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.

Addressing the gathering after the inauguration, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, “Navi Mumbai has emerged as a symbol of new hope and aspirations. With this world-class international airport, it now stands as a symbol of India’s growing stature on the global stage. Today’s occasion is significant not just for Maharashtra, but for the entire nation.”

He added, “Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India’s aviation sector has transformed into a powerful force, setting an example for the world. From taking revenge for our daughters through Operation Sindoor to expanding air connectivity across the country, the NDA government has built 90 new airports in just 11 years, averaging one airport every 45 days, an incredible global record.”

It is anticipated that domestic flights will start operating from the new airport shortly, while international flights will start operating by December. The facility has two parallel runways and four terminals. There are also plans for a dedicated VVIP terminal, whose construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be finished by 2030.

The lotus flower served as the idea for the terminal’s design, which was created by London-based Zaha Hadid Architects and will feature artwork honoring Maharashtra’s past and culture. The Automated People Mover, a quick transit system that connects all four terminals, and the infrastructure for storing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are two of NMIA’s most notable features. To improve green mobility, the airport will also run electric bus services and produce roughly 47 MW of solar power.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who called the inaguration of new airport a “grand moment” for Maharashtra and Mumbai’s growth, has announced that the airport will be named after the late Dinkar Balu Patil, who had championed the cause of fair compensation for project-affected persons when Navi Mumbai was first developed.