The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is set to meet key stakeholders of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Tuesday to assess its operational preparedness for securing an aerodrome licence. This certification is crucial as it confirms that the airport meets all safety, operational, and infrastructural requirements necessary for commercial air transport operations. The meeting will be attended by representatives from NMIAL, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL), the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Managed by NMIAL, a joint venture between AAHL and CIDCO, the Navi Mumbai airport had previously faced a regulatory setback when its aerodrome licence application, submitted in December 2024, was rejected due to non-compliance with guidelines.

This fresh review aims to evaluate the corrective measures undertaken by NMIAL to meet regulatory standards. Meanwhile, the DGCA has also received an aerodrome licence application from Noida International Airport, managed by Yamuna International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (YIAPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, which is currently under review. Both airports have completed initial validation flight tests, including technical assessments, takeoff and landing evaluations, and compliance with safety and operational standards. Data from these tests is now under DGCA review, with regulatory approval for an aerodrome licence typically taking up to 90 days. Navi Mumbai and Noida airports are both critical for decongesting existing aviation hubs and enhancing air connectivity.

Navi Mumbai International Airport’s first phase will accommodate 20 million passengers annually, with a projected expansion to 90 million passengers and 2.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2032, while Noida International Airport is expected to begin operations with a capacity of 12 million passengers per year, eventually expanding to 70 million. After facing multiple delays, Adani Group has announced that NMIA is set for commissioning in April 2025, with regulatory approvals and licensing processes progressing towards completion.