**Navi Mumbai International Airport to be Inaugurated During PM Narendra Modi’s Visit**
The long-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set to be inaugurated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Maharashtra on 8–9 October, confirmed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Alongside this, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate Mumbai’s Metro 3 line during his visit.
### Proposal to Name Airport After DB Patil
The Maharashtra government has sent a proposal to the Centre to name the airport after the late MP and social activist DB Patil, a prominent figure in the region. The decision is currently pending with the Union government.
### Twin-Airport Model for Mumbai
Located near Ulwe and Panvel, NMIA will operate alongside the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) under a twin-airport model. This structure mirrors successful international examples such as Dubai’s DXB–DWC, London’s Heathrow–Gatwick, and New York’s JFK–Newark airports.
### Phased Development with Massive Capacity
The airport is being developed in five phases. The first phase will accommodate 20 million passengers annually and handle 0.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo. Once fully completed, NMIA will be capable of serving 90 million passengers and managing 3.2 MMT of cargo each year, positioning it as one of Asia’s largest aviation hubs.
### Air India Express to Lead Operations
The Air India group has announced that its low-cost carrier, Air India Express, will be the first airline to operate from NMIA. Initially, it will run 20 daily departures to over 15 domestic destinations. By mid-2026, operations are expected to expand to 55 daily departures, including five international routes.
### Key Features of NMIA
– Four passenger terminals planned by 2032
– Two parallel runways with a capacity for 45 air traffic movements per hour
– World’s fastest baggage claim system during initial operations
– India’s largest General Aviation Terminal with 75 aircraft stands
– Cargo terminals with 0.8 million tonnes annual capacity in phase one
– Dedicated Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility and advanced Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower
– Excellent connectivity via Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Metro lines, and major highways
With these features, NMIA is poised to transform air travel and cargo movement in the Mumbai metropolitan region and beyond.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/pm-narendra-modi-to-inaugurate-navi-mumbai-international-airport-metro-3-line-on-october-8-says-maharashtra-cm-devendra-fadnavis
