Mumbai, India
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After decades of bottlenecks and delays, one of the busiest cities in the world, Mumbai finally has its second airport. For travelers, the new Navi Mumbai International Airport promises a shorter line, more flights and a smoother start or end than before. For a city that has been running for a long time to one overloaded airport, it is an engineering feat.
The airport has been in nearly 20 years with a process that involves flattening the hills, detouring the rivers and bridging the streams. In Phase 1 alone, the city will provide terminals to handle 20 million passengers a year to quickly alleviate tensions in Mumbai’s existing airport, Chhatra Patisivajimaharaj International or Bom.
In 2019, BOM handled 48.83 million passengers. And today, as one of Asia’s busiest airports, it already serves more than 54 million travelers a year, bringing some of the city’s air travel experiences delays, long routes and overcrowding.
“It’s a great airport. It’s a great location,” says Mark D. Martin, an India-based aviation analyst. “However, the region has not yet been developed. The viability and sustainability of Indian airports depends purely on access to the population.”
The new Navi Mumbai Airport vision, NMI, is considering future growth. By 2032, the airport will have four terminals capable of 90 million passengers per year, with Mumbai in the same league as global multi-airport hubs such as London, New York and Dubai.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the airport on October 8th. Speaking to the media at the NMI scene, he said:
The new airport will allow Maharashtra farmers to connect with supermarkets in Europe and the Middle East. And fishermen’s produce can quickly reach the global market. ”
Airport officials say travelers can expect shorter lines, faster check-in with biometrics, and smoother connections as airlines begin to expand their routes.
And they’re already lined up. Air India Group says Air India Express, a low-cost division, will begin offering 20 daily departures from new airports, including international destinations.
Indigo, the country’s largest airline, will travel dozens of flights daily to the airport once it is operational, adding international routes by November. HomeFlynd’s budget airline Akasa Air is also moving, with over 100 flights starting every week.
Cargo operations are equally important. The airport will debut at an annual capacity of 800,000 tons. This is essential to its role as a drug and e-commerce hub in Mumbai. A typical aviation terminal has up to 75 business jets, India’s largest facility.
It is no secret that NMI intended to raise the Indian aviation industry to the same level as other Asian megahubs.
Jeet Adani, airport director at Adani Group, a key funder for NMI, cited top Asia airports as benchmarks.
“Singapore Changi is known for its efficiency and passenger experience. The NMI is designed to surpass it in its ultimate capabilities while aligning with its digital backbone. Seoul Incheon and Tokyo Narita are examples of Asian order and technology.
Visually, NMI is designed to make a statement. Created by Zaha Hadid Architects, its lotus-shaped terminal draws ancient Indian motifs for purity and resilience. A canopy of gold petals crowns the roof, and the interior blends Jaari lattice work with modern glass and light to create a softer, more gentle passenger experience.
From natural cooling to renewable energy and water recycling, sustainability extends to the entire design. Inside, the airport promises modern lounges, dining and high-tech services aimed at cutting out the hassle from the journey.
However, getting there is still a sticking point. Connectivity to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) is just as ambitious as the terminal itself, but on the ground the photography is more complicated.
Mumbai Trans Harbor Link, India’s largest seabridge, technically reduces travel time from southern Mumbai to 20 minutes. However, peak traffic on connecting roads can extend the journey much longer to a few hours.
Aviation analyst Martin believes that how NMI fits into India’s transportation framework will be time alone.
“It takes time for an airport to mature. When building an airport, additional support systems, such as hotels, accommodation and city access, are required, through powerful taxis, metros, buses and rail networks.
Metro Extension and Express Bus routes are still underway. Shuttle services are not always given to Mumbai’s entangled transport network, but rely on careful coordination with train and bus timetables. Also, there is no direct metro connection from major commercial districts at launch, so most passengers will likely turn to cars and taxis, putting pressure on already blocked roads.
According to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devandra Fadnavis, a floating tax service will be operated between the Indian monuments and the NMI gateway. He did not spell out any specific plans or timelines.
For Mumbai, NMI is both relief and testing. It promises smoother journeys and new opportunities, but its success depends on whether the city can still resolve obstacles to ground transport that irritates travelers. Once connectivity catches up to ambition, this second airport can ultimately give Mumbai the breathing chamber that passengers have long needed.
