Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced that the first passenger flight from the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is expected to take off in September. With nearly 94 per cent of the work completed, the state government has set a deadline of September 30 for the launch of commercial operations, reported PTI. The airport’s inauguration will be carried out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had also performed its ground-breaking ceremony.

Fadnavis, accompanied by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and minister Ganesh Naik, conducted an inspection of the NMIA site and reviewed the project progress on Saturday. He said that the airport will be the “most modern and fully-equipped” in the country and added that instructions have been issued to ensure it has the fastest baggage claim system in the world.

“We saw a detailed presentation on all aspects of the work – from the runway to the terminal building. The runway is fully complete and work on the terminal is in the final stage, with interiors, façade and ceiling pending. The remaining six per cent work will be completed in time to make the airport operational by September,” stated the CM.