INDIA. Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) – which will inaugurate a new super-airport in Mumbai later this month (September) – has revealed early details of the travel hub’s commercial offerings and promised a passenger-first experience.
Navi Mumbai International Airport’s terminal interiors have been designed to emphasise openness, intuitive wayfinding and natural light, according to the operator, with art installations and greenery integrated throughout.
Lounges spread across multiple levels will provide views of the runway, while dining courts will highlight Mumbai’s renowned street food alongside international cuisine.
Retail clusters will combine luxury labels with curated local outlets, creating what the operator describes as “a global mood with Indian character”.
Passengers will also have access to free wifi, family lounges, business pods and digital navigation tools. NMIAL said this reflects a strategy to cater to every traveller segment, from corporate executives to tourists and first-time flyers.
Twin-airport model
Strategically located near Ulwe and Panvel, Navi Mumbai International – which has planned investments of more than US$1.9 billion – is designed to operate in tandem with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), which already serves more than 50 million passengers annually.
With limited expansion options at CSMIA, the new facility will help ease congestion and pressure on airline operations.
Connectivity between the two hubs will be supported by road, suburban rail, upcoming metro lines, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and water transport links.
Capacity and infrastructure
The first phase of the new Mumbai airport introduces Terminal 1, capable of welcoming 20 million passengers a year. Its architecture, inspired by the lotus flower, has been developed with sustainable design practices.
At full build-out by 2032, the airport will include four passenger terminals, two parallel runways and capacity for 90 million passengers annually, with up to 45 air traffic movements per hour.
The airport will also launch with what is claimed to be the world’s fastest baggage-claim system. Advanced check-in kiosks with biometric validation, streamlined security lanes and flexible gate management are expected to keep passenger flows fast and efficient even during peak demand.
Cargo operations will start with capacity for 0.8 million tonnes annually, supported by dedicated domestic (33,000sq m) and international (23,700sq m) cargo terminals.
A maintenance, repair and overhaul facility and a new air traffic control tower are also part of the plan, with a temporary tower at launch and a permanent advanced structure due within seven years.
Business aviation will be anchored by India’s largest general aviation terminal, featuring about 75 aircraft stands and a heliport for scheduled and unscheduled operations.
By 2032, the combined capacity of Navi Mumbai International (90 million passengers) and CSMIA (55 million passengers) is projected to allow Mumbai to serve 145-150 million passengers annually, comparable to London and New York’s multi-airport systems.
Domestic airlines including IndiGo and Akasa Air have already committed to launching services from the new airport. Leading international carriers are expected to follow. ✈
