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Mumbai’s Navi Mumbai International Airport, covering 1,160 hectares, features two runways. Initially, operations will begin from Terminal One, which can handle up to 20 million passengers annually
Following the inspection, the Navi Mumbai airport operator will now apply to the DGCA for an airport licence, in accordance with regulations. (PTI File)
In a welcome development for Mumbai, the city will soon have a second airport, offering travellers an alternative to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The new Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to be inaugurated in April, with flight operations commencing from May 15.
A joint team inspected Navi Mumbai International Airport on Monday. This team included Airport Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Vipin Kumar, Bureau of Civil Aviation (BCAS) Regional Director Prakash Nikam, along with officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL), and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO).
Following the day-long inspection on February 24, officials from all departments revisited the airport on February 25. After the two-day inspection concluded, a senior DGCA official stated that the evaluation of Navi Mumbai International Airport was complete.
“During the evaluation, we were informed by the airport operator that they will apply to obtain all the necessary permissions by March 5,” the official said.
Following this inspection, the airport operator will now apply to the DGCA for an airport licence, in accordance with regulations. Sources indicate that this application will be for flight operations commencing May 15.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport has been built over an area of 1,160 hectares. The airport will initially operate from Terminal One, which has an annual capacity of 20 million passengers.
Navi Mumbai International Airport, equipped with two parallel runways, has been designed to be accessible by both road and waterways. It has been reported that passengers can reach the airport in as little as 17 minutes via water taxi. This water taxi service promises to be an adventurous start to passengers’ air travel.
