The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which started operations in December 2025, stands as a key aviation gateway designed around digital infrastructure, passenger capacity expansion and distinctive architectural design. It aims to enhance regional and international connectivity, drive economic growth through cargo operations, and establish a digitally advanced, future-ready aviation hub. At a recent India Infrastructure conference, Captain B.V.J.K. Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, NMIA, highlighted the key features of the greenfield airport and its future plans.
What were some of the biggest challenges in developing the NMIA airport? How were these overcome?
Developing a world-class international airport like NMIA has been an ambitious and complex undertaking. To ensure that the land was suitable to build an airport, City and Industrial Development Corporation undertook development work, successfully rehabilitated over 3,000 families and relocated extra high voltage lines. It was then handed over to Navi Mumbai International Airport Private Limited for development. Around 55 per cent of the land comprised of rocks as high as 102 m, and the remaining 45 per cent was marshy. Two rivers crossed the land, which have been retained. Around 150 million metric tonnes (MMT) of stone was moved, which was later used for filling purposes at the construction site. The project also saw the use of almost 350,000 metric tonnes (MT) of cement, 20,000 MT of steel, and about 30,000 MT of asphalt.
Focused time was dedicated to the master plan. Technology solutions such as BIM have been extensively used for airport design. Notable efforts have also been made at the design stage to ensure that the airport infrastructure is safeguarded against mass floods or earthquakes. On the construction front, various software were used to analyse the type of rock. This is the first time across the world that the rock-filling method has been used instead of the traditional sand-filling.
The next phase of construction – developing a terminal with the capacity to handle 50 million passengers per annum (MPPA) at NMIA – is targeted to be carried out in a much simpler manner with the use of precast elements. Almost 8,000-line items have been identified, and EPC contractors are being engaged right from the concept stage. NMIA is going up to LOD 300 level for the bidding stage to avoid surprises and hence aid in reducing costs.
“Technology is a defining feature of the operationalised phase, positioning NMIA as India’s first fully digital airport.”
What are the key features of the recently operationalised phase?
In its initial operational phase, the airport’s integrated passenger terminal has been built to handle approximately 20 MPPA, which will be scaled up to 90 MPPA in a phased manner. The airside infrastructure has been developed to support a substantial number of aircraft movements through modern taxiway systems and apron stands designed to accommodate both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.
The airport forms part of India’s first twin-airport system, complementing operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and expanding the aviation capacity of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Architecturally, the terminal draws inspiration from the lotus, India’s national flower. The building’s sweeping rooflines resemble unfolding petals, while the internal layout features a central atrium with radiating concourses, creating an intuitive flow for passengers and reducing walking distances between check-in, security and boarding gates. Extensive glass façades and high-volume interior spaces allow natural light to illuminate the terminal, creating a bright and open environment while improving spatial orientation for travellers.
Technology is a defining feature of the operationalised phase, positioning NMIA as India’s first fully digital airport. The terminal incorporates advanced digital passenger processing systems, automated operational platforms and integrated airport management technologies that streamline check-in, security screening, baggage handling and boarding processes. These systems support real-time operational coordination across airlines, ground handlers and airport operators, enabling efficient handling of both passenger and aircraft movements. The recent inauguration of DigiYatra has further enhanced the passenger flow and experience.
On the passenger facilities front, the airport features more than 100 retail and food outlets. Additional services include premium lounges, meet-and-greet facilities, modern baggage handling systems, spacious waiting areas and an 80-room transit hotel within the terminal complex. A curated digital art programme also forms part of the passenger experience, showcasing artistic traditions from Maharashtra through interactive installations placed throughout the terminal.
What initiatives are being taken to integrate sustainability in operations?
NMIA plans to generate 47 MW of solar power in its final phase. The airport also features rainwater harvesting facilities at various locations, where the collected water will be used for various purposes, accompanied by low-flow fixtures for taps, enabling water conservation. Similarly, the terminal is designed to ensure that natural light will enter at an angle reducing the overall daytime power usage. This helps lower energy consumption, contributing to both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. Automated people movers (APMs) will be implemented for internal airport travel in Phase III, which will also reduce emissions.
What are the key priorities for cargo business?
Located strategically with excellent connectivity to key markets, NMIA is an attractive choice for cargo airlines and shippers. The airport can manage a wide range of specialised cargo, offering dedicated facilities and expert staff to ensure top-notch care and efficiency. We rely on state-of-the-art technologies for real-time tracking, automated handling and advanced monitoring to provide customers with transparency and reliability.
For fast and secure operations, priority lanes for express cargo and robust security measures for valuables make NMIA a safe and swift cargo hub. The airport holds necessary certifications and complies with international standards, assuring customers of its credibility in handling sensitive goods.
Going forward, NMIA will serve as a key hub for high-value sectors such as pharmaceuticals and e-commerce, supported by specialised cold-chain infrastructure and advanced logistics capabilities. The plan is to increase the cargo capacity from the initial 0.5 MMT to 3.25 MMT (India’s current total handling capacity).
What are the future plans and next milestones?
The development of NMIA has been planned in multiple phases, expanding its capacity in line with the long-term growth in passenger and aircraft traffic across the MMR.
The airport’s Phases I and II, which include Terminal 1, are currently operational. This terminal covers approximately 234,000 sq. m and has an annual passenger handling capacity of 20 MPPA. Phase III involves the development of Terminal 2, which is planned to span approximately 500,000 sq. m, and will take the airport’s cumulative capacity to 70 MPPA. The expansion will also be supported by additional aircraft parking stands, taxiways and operational infrastructure to handle the higher number of aircraft movements. Further expansion will take place through Phases IV and V based on demand up to 2040.
On the landside, a monorail-based APM system is being planned at NMIA, featuring 11 stations. The airport will also have connectivity to the metro, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, water taxi and other crucial modes of transport, making NMIA a multimodal connectivity hub.
Our vision is to serve as a strategic growth engine for Maharashtra, handling up to 90 MPPA (at full capacity) out of the potential demand of 180 MPPA by 2040.
According to you, what will the airports of the future look like? How is NMIA aligning with these expectations?
Airports of the future will be far more seamless, intuitive and experience-led than what we see today. The shift is already visible at global hubs such as Singapore Changi Airport and Heathrow Airport, where the focus is on reducing stress across the passenger journey.
Travelers today seek speed, ease and a more personalised experience, with infrastructure that responds intuitively to their needs. This shift is shaping how NMIA is being planned and developed, not as an incremental upgrade, but as a reimagined aviation experience. NMIA has been built ground-up and hence it is not constrained by legacy systems or retrofitted thinking. Every layer of the airport, right from terminal design to airside operations, is future-proof, aligning with evolving passenger behaviour.
A key enabler of this shift is the use of real-time data. Airports are moving beyond static systems to more responsive, app- and AI-based interfaces, being designed with tech and the Gen Z in mind, that provides live updates on queues, boarding gates and baggage. This improves flow management while giving passengers greater visibility and control over their journey.
At the same time, the journey itself is becoming more seamless through the integration of digital identity through DigiYatra, which is being embedded into the passenger flow at NMIA. This aligns with the broader move toward single token travel, where a passenger’s face replaces multiple document checks. Supported by automation and self-service infrastructure such as e-gates and self-baggage drops, this reduces processing time while improving overall efficiency.
Further, the role of airports is expanding beyond transit. There is a clear push in NMIA towards non-aero business and digital art through the development of experiential zones across retail, food and beverage, wellness, and local cultural touchpoints. This aligns with a broader shift in revenue models, where non-aeronautical streams and cityside developments account for a growing share of total income. For NMIA, going forward, non-aero business is expected to contribute approximately 60–65 per cent of total revenues, reflecting global benchmarks.
“NMIA has been built ground-up and hence it is not constrained by legacy systems or retrofitted thinking. Every layer of the airport is future proof to align with evolving passenger behaviour.”
