On October 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), marking a significant advancement in India’s aviation industry. Built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore, this airport is notable for being the first fully digital airport in the country, created to provide an ‘anxiety-free’ travel experience through advanced technology. Flight operations are anticipated to begin in December 2025, with ticket sales expected to start by the end of October. Airlines such as IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express are getting ready to operate from the new terminal.
NMIA is equipped with state-of-the-art digital features that allow passengers to pre-book parking, manage baggage drop-off online, and receive real-time updates on their luggage status. The project is managed by Adani Airports Holdings Limited, positioning Mumbai alongside major global cities like London, New York, and Tokyo that have multiple significant airports. According to Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airports, the airport’s AI-driven and digital-first approach seeks to enhance the travel experience for passengers and establish new benchmarks in India’s aviation sector.