Navi Mumbai’s New International Airport Welcomes First IAF C-295 Aircraft

Published on October 12, 2024

In a remarkable milestone, an Indian Air Force aircraft successfully landed on the south runway of Navi Mumbai International Airport, a key development by the Adani Group. This test landing signifies a significant step forward in the project’s progress. The airport is expected to be fully operational by early 2025 and will have the capacity to accommodate 90 million passengers each year.

In a historic achievement for Navi Mumbai International Airport, an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft made a successful landing on the airport’s south runway, according to a statement released by the Adani Group on Friday. The landing of the IAF C-295 marks a key milestone in the development of the greenfield international airport, which commenced in August 2021 under the leadership of the Adani Group.

The airport is set to become fully operational by early 2025, as per the statement.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport recently hosted a significant event, with prominent attendees including Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Co-operation Murlidhar Mohol, along with senior officials from Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd. and Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.

The successful test landing enables engineers, aviation authorities, and airport operators to assess the airport’s infrastructure and overall preparedness. It also highlights the airport’s capability to handle both civilian and military operations, further establishing its role as a strategic hub for diverse missions, such as disaster response and emergency landings.

According to the group, Navi Mumbai International Airport is poised to become a major aviation hub in India, serving both domestic and international travelers. The airport will boast a 3,700-meter runway designed to accommodate large commercial aircraft, alongside state-of-the-art passenger terminals and cutting-edge air traffic control systems, as mentioned in the statement.

The statement highlighted that Terminal 1 is expected to accommodate up to 20 million passengers annually. Once fully completed, Navi Mumbai International Airport will have the capacity to serve 90 million passengers each year, enhancing both connectivity and economic growth in the Navi Mumbai area.

Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) was created as a special purpose vehicle for the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of the greenfield international airport project in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. The project follows the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model.

NMIAL operates under Adani Airports Holdings Limited, with ownership divided between Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), holding a 74% stake, and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO), holding 26%.