Mumbaikars now have an additional air travel choice! The much-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is all set to launch on September 30, 2025. It will serve as Mumbai‘s second international airport after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). After much anticipation and delays, the first images of the airport have appeared on social media, generating a buzz! From terminal design to facilities, here’s everything you must know.
Navi Mumbai Airport Unveils First Look
The first look of the interiors and exteriors of the airport, showcasing stunning architecture and modern design ahead of its planned inauguration, is all over the internet. The architecture has been widely described as an “architectural marvel,” combining functionality with visual elegance.
🚨Navi Mumbai international airport interior looks👌 pic.twitter.com/ylu26LBcxf
— Indian Infra Report (@Indianinfoguide) August 26, 2025
Navi Mumbai Airport Terminal Design
The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, stands out as a blend of cultural symbolism, cutting-edge technology, and sustainable design. Zaha Hadid Architects have a wide range of remarkable projects across the globe, like the Guangzhou Opera House, the London Aquatics Centre, and many more.
The terminal features flowing roof contours that evoke the unfolding petals of a flower, while the central atrium resembles a tranquil lotus pond. The inspiration is drawn from the lotus, India’s national flower.
Glass façades incorporate patterns that are reminiscent of lotus leaves, filtering natural light to provide both shade and ventilation. The design also prioritizes sustainability with rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels, passive cooling from the lotus-shaped roof, and water recycling facilities.
The airport’s three interconnected terminals will include world-class lounges, expansive check-in halls, and seamless passenger flows. It means it will be targeting an eventual capacity of 90 million passengers annually.
#NMIA is set to transform Maharashtra’s economy and infrastructure, driving jobs, growth and connectivity across the state.
From world-class capacity and multimodal links to real estate growth, tourism, trade and green innovation, NMIA is more than an airport; it’s Maharashtra’s… pic.twitter.com/wU5lYJcQ4e
— Navi Mumbai International Airport (@navimumairport) September 16, 2025
Navi Mumbai Airport Launch Date & Project Scale
Major Indian carriers like IndiGo and Akasa Air have committed to launching operations from NMIA. The airport’s proximity to business and industrial zones also ensures robust demand.
This INR 16,000 crore (about $2 billion) project has been guided by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and Adani Airports Holdings under a public–private partnership.
NMIA’s inauguration is scheduled for September 30. The actual commercial flight operations are expected to commence between late October and November 2025. They will initially begin with domestic flights.
Beyond passenger traffic, NMIA is poised to be a major cargo hub. Its initial cargo terminal offers capacity for 800,000 tonnes of cargo per year.
Early operations will feature eight to ten air traffic movements per hour, expected to scale up to 30 per hour at peak by 2026.
Summing Up
Navi Mumbai International Airport is more than a transportation hub. It is a technological, economic, and architectural landmark designed for the future of Indian and global aviation. The facility is anticipated to ease congestion at Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. It will also revive economic activity across Maharashtra.
