"Navi Mumbai Airport Set to Begin Operations in May Next Year"

Navi Mumbai airport is set to open for operations next May, with construction of its second passenger terminal scheduled to commence in July. The Adani Group is accelerating development plans to meet growing demand.

Adani Airport Holdings Limited CEO Arun Bansal announced the timeline on Sunday following the successful completion of a validation flight to test the approach and landing procedures at the airport. An IndiGo Airbus A320 aircraft conducted the trial flight, and its report will be submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

“This is a major milestone, and we are now one step closer to operationalising the airport, prioritising safety at every step,” Bansal said.

The airport is expected to inaugurate operations by April 17, with domestic passenger and cargo services commencing in mid-May, followed by international operations at the end of July. Discussions with airlines are already underway to finalise schedules.

Initial Phase and Expansion Plans

In its first phase, the Navi Mumbai airport will open one runway and a terminal capable of handling 20 million passengers annually. Construction of the second terminal, initially planned for 2026, will now begin a year earlier in 2025. This adjustment aims to address the anticipated surge in passenger traffic due to the planned renovation of Mumbai airport’s Terminal T1.

The Navi Mumbai airport is projected to handle 20 million passengers annually by March 2026. To accommodate the traffic shift, approximately 25-30% of the existing traffic from T1 will move to Mumbai’s Terminal T2, while the remainder will transition to Navi Mumbai airport.

Addressing Capacity Challenges

The advancement of terminal construction is expected to alleviate capacity constraints. However, the second terminal in Navi Mumbai is anticipated to take 3-4 years to complete. In the interim, the Adani Group plans to manage capacity challenges through efficient slot management and automation solutions.

The Navi Mumbai airport represents a significant step in addressing the region’s growing aviation demands, promising enhanced connectivity and passenger experience.

HBL