Mumbai. Commercial flights commenced at the Navi Mumbai International Airport on Thursday. On this momentous occasion, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said that it is certainly a moment of pride. Gautam Adani himself welcomed the passengers, which instilled new enthusiasm and excitement among them. The passengers said that they feel extremely fortunate to have been given the opportunity to develop this airport. We have tried to make it a world-class airport. Amidst the enthusiasm of the passengers who disembarked from the aircraft and the rush to take selfies with them, Gautam Adani said, “The people of Mumbai had been struggling for air capacity facilities for about a decade. The capacity of the existing airport was almost full. With the increase in air traffic, the new airport is now ready.” Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, had been preparing for the development, construction, and operation of this greenfield airport since 2021. Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), is handling the development, construction, and operation of the airport.
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The Navi Mumbai Airport has been built in the first phase at a cost of Rs 19,650 crore, spread over an area of 1160 hectares. The first phase includes one terminal and one runway, with an annual passenger handling capacity of 20 million. After the completion of all five phases of the Navi Mumbai Airport, the airport is expected to have the capacity to handle 90 million passengers per year, along with a cargo terminal and multimodal connectivity. On the opening day, flights will be limited to domestic services only. IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and Star Air will operate flights connecting NMIA to 9 destinations across India, with a total of 15 scheduled flights. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Thursday lauded the country’s war heroes, farmers, workers, and specially-abled people on the commencement of operations at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This is India’s newest greenfield airport, which welcomed its first passengers on Thursday. The airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8. It commenced flight operations on Christmas Day. Welcoming the first passengers, Gautam Adani paid tribute to the soldiers who protect the country. He also praised the workers who built the airport with their hard work. He further saluted the farmers who feed the nation and the differently-abled individuals who inspire society.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani wrote on the social media platform X, “It was an incredibly emotional and proud moment for me to stand alongside Param Vir Chakra recipients Captain Bana Singh and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar as Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) welcomed its first passengers.” He further added, “In that moment, standing with these war heroes were also the silent builders of our nation – the laborers who built this airport with their hands and unwavering spirit; the farmers and their families who feed India; the social workers who selflessly serve millions through the Adani Foundation; and our differently-abled colleagues who inspire us every day. For many of them, this was their first flight.”
The Adani Group Chairman said that soldiers protect India, laborers build India, farmers sustain India, social workers serve India, and the differently-abled inspire India. He said that the Navi Mumbai International Airport is an example of how the country can move forward without leaving anyone behind. Gautam Adani said that it was a great honor for him and Preeti Adani to be present at NMIA with the people there. It was a moment that showed what this airport truly represents – opportunity with dignity and a rising India that moves forward together.
He concluded by saying, “The blessings, courage, and determination of these people inspire us every day to think bigger, serve better, and work harder in the service of the nation. Jai Hind.” The Navi Mumbai International Airport is a public-private partnership (PPP) project. Adani Airports Holdings Limited’s subsidiary MIAL holds a 74 percent stake in the project, while the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) holds the remaining 26 percent. In its first month of operation, the airport will be operational for 12 hours a day, from 8 AM to 8 PM. During this period, 23 flights will depart daily. Initially, services will be provided by IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air, connecting Mumbai to 16 major cities across the country. From February 2026, the airport will operate 24 hours a day, and the number of daily flights will increase to 34 to meet the needs of the Mumbai metropolitan region. NMIA is also conducting necessary trials in collaboration with all relevant departments, security agencies, and airlines to ensure safe and smooth airport operations.
Gautam Adani inaugurated the international airport in Navi Mumbai.
