NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new international airport in Mumbai on Wednesday, advancing the growth of India’s rapidly expanding aviation network.
Developed by the Adani Group at a cost of approximately $2.2 billion, the first phase of Navi Mumbai International Airport is set to start operations in December, serving as a significant passenger and cargo hub in Asia. This project will also alleviate congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest airports. Notably, Mumbai is the only metropolitan area in India with a second international airport.
This initiative highlights India’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure and enhancing air connectivity as its economy continues to evolve alongside increasing air travel demands. Over the last decade, the government has either launched or upgraded numerous airports, linking smaller cities and improving cargo logistics, with the goal of making air travel an essential contributor to economic growth. According to official statistics, the number of airports in India has risen to 160 from 74 in 2014.
“This reflects a growing nation,” Modi stated during his speech.
India ranks as the world’s third-largest air transport market based on departing passenger traffic, following the U.S. and China, as per a June report by the International Air Transport Association. In 2024, around 174 million passengers traveled domestically and internationally by air from India, making up approximately 4.2% of global air traffic.
The Navi Mumbai airport is expected to handle up to 20 million passengers annually, with future expansions allowing a capacity of 90 million once all four planned terminals become operational, according to the Adani Group.
Additionally, it will be the first airport in India designed to incorporate water taxi connections alongside high-speed rail, underground metro, roads, and highway networks.
