The Adani Group plans to invest an additional Rs 300 billion to expand the Navi Mumbai International Airport, ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week. The airport is set to begin operations in December 2025.

The group has already invested around Rs 200 billion in developing the greenfield airport and has started design work for the second terminal, which is expected to be commissioned by 2029. Funding for this expansion will come through a mix of debt and equity, while the Maharashtra government holds a 26 per cent stake in the project.

Once fully operational, the airport will have a total capacity of 90 million passengers per annum (mppa), making it India’s largest airport by capacity. The first phase, with a single runway, will handle 20 mppa for both domestic and international flights. Airlines such as Akasa Air, IndiGo, and Air India are already confirmed for operations, supporting 20–23 aircraft movements per hour initially.

Connectivity enhancements include the newly opened Atal Setu, reducing travel time from South Mumbai to about 20 minutes, along with planned Metro extensions and a proposed Mumbai–Hyderabad high-speed rail corridor passing near the airport.

The second phase will add 30 million passenger capacity, a major cargo terminal, and India’s largest maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility with five large hangars. The cargo terminal will handle 3.8 million tonnes per annum, positioning Navi Mumbai as one of the country’s largest cargo hubs.

News source: Business Standard