From runways to revenue: How Navi Mumbai Airport will reshape India’s aviation economy

The new airport, spread over 1,160 hectares, is set to significantly boost India’s aviation capacity and ease the heavy traffic burden on Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

With the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), Mumbai joined the elite list of global cities boasting twin airports. The new facility, spanning 1,160 hectares in its initial phase, is expected to accommodate 20 million passengers annually. Once fully operational, it is expected to manage 155 million passengers annually through four terminals and two runways. Industry experts believe the inauguration is in sync with India’s booming aviation sector. The capacity of the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai has been stretched to the limit, and the new airport will help ease congestion.

Built for Rs 19,650 crore, the new airport is expected to create 200,000 jobs across various sectors, including logistics, IT, and hospitality. It will also be India’s first fully digital airport, offering facilities for pre-booked parking spaces, baggage handling, and immigration services. Meanwhile, the terminal, designed by London’s Zaha Hadid Architects, is shaped like a lotus flower. The airport will also feature art that highlights Maharashtra’s heritage and culture.

“Not only will it serve Pune, Mumbai, and the busy Konkan corridor, but the new airport will also provide access to global destinations and markets, enhancing passenger experiences and trade. Further, it is expected to handle over 3.2 million metric tonnes of cargo annually, helping India strengthen its footprint in the sector,” said Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of Sky One.

Discussing the multi-modal connectivity offered by the new airport, he added, “It will be connected with various transport systems, including the expressway network, metro rail, suburban rail, and waterway services. Such multi-modal connectivity is essential to make the airport a major aviation hub."

“Fully automated, AI-enabled terminals support the airport. Technological upgradation is essential for an enhanced customer experience, and the new facility perfectly reflects that,” concludes Mr Mirchandani.

Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of Sky One list out how the new Navi Mumbai International Airport(NMIA) will help in job creation and also improving the aviation economy in the country

To begin with, we must acknowledge the jobs that have been created during the construction phase, involving civil engineers, architects, project managers, skilled labourers, and contractors. The remaining work is still in progress and will continue to generate employment. Once the airport becomes fully operational, a wide range of direct and indirect jobs will open up, including air traffic controllers, ground staff, baggage handlers, maintenance crews, security teams, airline employees, and administrative personnel. The employment opportunities will expand across airport operations, the logistics sector, and transportation services.

Next come the retail, hospitality, and tourism sectors. The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is expected to boost global business and real estate development in the region, which will further support job creation in tourism, logistics, and trade-related fields. Once fully operational, NMIA is expected to have the capacity to handle 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo, generating employment in warehousing, cold chain logistics, customs, freight handling, trucking, and last-mile delivery.

The Indian government has already set an ambitious target of achieving 10 million metric tonnes of annual air cargo movement by 2030.

To meet this goal, strategic steps such as expanding airport infrastructure, increasing freighter fleets, and streamlining logistics and customs processes are crucial. With a capacity to handle 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo, NMIA can play a vital role in this mission. Its strategic location, 14 km from the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and 35 km from the Mumbai Port Trust, combined with strong multimodal connectivity through rail, road, and waterways, will help reduce logistics costs, shorten transit times, and make supply chains more reliable.

This will also benefit key export sectors in Maharashtra and western India, including pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering, and agriculture, by providing faster access to global markets. As mentioned earlier, NMIA’s proximity to JNPT will ensure seamless movement of goods between sea and air routes, improving efficiency and strengthening India’s trade and export competitiveness on the global stage.

We have examples of major global cities, such as London, Paris, New York, Tokyo, Beijing, Istanbul, and Moscow, that operate multiple airports, and now Mumbai has joined this list. One of the biggest advantages of having twin airports is the ability to divide air traffic, reducing congestion and improving efficiency. The existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has been operating beyond capacity for years. With NMIA coming into operation, this pressure can finally be eased.

Further, a single airport often gives certain airlines a monopoly over routes, but having a secondary airport provides passengers with more choices. Multiple airports allow airlines to operate more flights, which means increased competition, better connectivity, and potentially lower fares for travellers.

Beyond air travel, secondary airports also play a key role in driving regional growth, creating new economic, social, and infrastructural opportunities outside major metro areas. They contribute to local employment and encourage the development of roads, industrial parks, logistics hubs, and commercial facilities, building stronger regional ecosystems in the process.