Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to be inaugurated on April 17, 2025, and become operational by the second half of May 2025. After the first phase of its opening, it is expected to handle approximately 20 to 30 air traffic movements per hour and cater to 20 million (200 lakh) passengers per year. Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), specifically spoke to the print media and said, “Today (Sunday, December 29), we witnessed the landing of the first commercial aircraft, which is an integral part of the process to make the airport operational. We will now need to procure an aerodrome license from the DGCA. We are expecting to inaugurate the airport on April 17, 2025. After the inauguration, a 4-week time frame is required for the security sweep of the airport and to procure other documentation before it becomes operational.”

The aircraft receiving a traditional water salute. Pics/Nimesh Dave