‘Proud Moment for Mumbaikars’: Gautam Adani Marks Launch of Navi Mumbai International Airport Operations
The launch of commercial operations at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) marked a historic day for Mumbai’s aviation landscape. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani called the moment a matter of pride for the city, saying he felt fortunate to contribute to a project that had remained a long-standing dream for Mumbaikars
As passenger services began on Thursday, December 25, Adani personally visited the airport to welcome travellers arriving on the very first commercial flight, underlining the significance of the occasion.
Gautam Adani Calls NMIA a Landmark Achievement
Speaking at the newly operational terminal, Gautam Adani described the airport’s opening as an emotional and proud milestone. He said the opportunity to develop Navi Mumbai International Airport carried immense responsibility.
“This is a very proud moment for Mumbaikars. We are really fortunate that we got a chance to develop Navi Mumbai Airport. We tried to make it a world-class airport,” Adani said while interacting with passengers.
He emphasised that NMIA reflects India’s growing ambitions in infrastructure and aviation. According to him, the airport showcases modern design, efficient passenger flow, and sustainability-driven planning, aligning with global standards.
First Commercial Flight Lands Amid Grand Welcome
The start of operations witnessed a historic first arrival when an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru touched down at NMIA at 8 am. Airport authorities welcomed the aircraft with a ceremonial water cannon salute, formally signalling the beginning of commercial passenger services.
Passengers described the experience as smooth and memorable, noting the spacious terminal and modern facilities. A video shared on X captured the moment the aircraft landed, quickly drawing attention and excitement across social media platforms.
Aviation officials said the initial operations would gradually scale up, with more domestic routes and airlines expected to join in the coming months.
Relieving Pressure on Mumbai’s Overcrowded Airport
Highlighting the need for NMIA, Gautam Adani pointed out that Mumbai’s existing airport had struggled with capacity constraints for over a decade. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has been operating near full capacity, limiting future growth.
“Mumbai was struggling since the last 10 years for having more facilities at the airport. The present Mumbai airport was actually fully jammed. This one will basically ease out the traffic movement there,” Adani said.
Aviation experts believe NMIA will significantly reduce congestion, improve on-time performance, and support Mumbai’s role as a global business and travel hub. The airport will also boost economic activity across Navi Mumbai and surrounding regions.
Decades-Long Project Realised Through PPP Model
The Navi Mumbai International Airport project took nearly three decades to materialise after facing multiple delays and logistical challenges. The airport was inaugurated earlier on October 8 by Narendra Modi, paving the way for operational readiness.
NMIA has been developed under a public-private partnership between CIDCO and Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. CIDCO holds a 26 per cent stake in the project, while Adani Airport Holdings owns the remaining 74 per cent.
On the eve of the launch, organisers hosted a spectacular drone show featuring 1,515 drones. The display lit up the night sky with visuals such as 3D lotus blooms, aircraft formations, green airport imagery, and the message “Rise of India,” reflecting the airport’s scale, ambition, and sustainability-focused vision.
