Domestic carriers such as IndiGo and Akasa Air are among those who have committed to the establishment of operations.

Mumbai, India’s financial capital, is entering a new era in aviation with the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), strategically located in Navi Mumbai, near Ulwe and Panvel, in end-September.

As reported on its official LinkedIn, the new hub will handle over 150M passengers by 2032, using its twin-airport model akin to Dubai’s DXB – DWC, London’s Heathrow – Gatwick, and New York’s JFK – Newark pairs.

This strategy distributes traffic between two facilities to decongest bottlenecks, de-risk operations and provide passengers with greater airline and route choices.

NMIA is also looking to add a transfer model, supported by multimodal transport—road, metro, suburban rail, and water links – which will eventually connect NMIA and CSMIA (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport).

For years, CSMIA – with more than 50 million passengers annually- has connected Mumbai to India and the rest of the world, even operating under capacity constraints, but it has limited room for expansion and its single runway was nearing saturation.

Terminals, Infrastructure and Initial Offerings

Phase 1 of NMIA introduces Terminal 1, a facility built to handle 20 million passengers annually, covering both domestic and international services.

Its design, inspired by the lotus, features a grand roof structure, abundant natural light and sustainable construction practices. The architectural marvel is a symbolic blend of cultural identity and modern ambition.

Inside, the terminal will offer: next-generation check-in zones, equipped with automated kiosks and biometric validation; world-class baggage claim systems, promoted as the fastest globally; and expansive waiting lounges and smart security lines with single-lane passage and advanced scanning.

The larger masterplan envisions up to four terminals by 2032, capable of collectively handling 90 million passengers per year.

The facilities will incorporate flexible gate management, automated boarding, and seamless digital processing, making travel smoother even during peak flows.

Beyond terminals, NMIA will host an integrated aero city with retail, hospitality and logistics hubs – transforming the airport into a self-sustaining economic ecosystem.

Passenger, Cargo and Aviation Ecosystem

The airport promises a passenger-first experience.

Terminal interiors emphasise openness, intuitive wayfinding, art installations and greenery.

Lounges on multiple levels will provide runway views, while dining courts showcase Mumbai’s famed street food alongside international cuisine.

Retail clusters will combine luxury labels with curated local outlets, offering a global mood with Indian character.

Amenities such as free Wi-Fi, family lounges, business pods and digital navigation tools will cater to every segment, from corporate travellers to tourists and first-time flyers.

NMIA is also being developed as a cargo powerhouse, debuting with capacity for 800,000 tonnes annually, with scalability for future volumes.

For corporate travel, NMIA, once complete, will host India’s largest general aviation terminal, with approximately 75 business jet stands and a heliport for both scheduled and unscheduled operations.

Added to this will be a fuel farm, advanced maintenance facilities, and a cutting-edge ATC (Air Traffic Control) tower (temporary initially, with a permanent structure to follow within seven years).

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