Navi Mumbai– Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Shri Faiz Ahmed Kidwai (IAS) visited the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) site on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, to review its operational readiness. This visit follows successful trial landings, including an Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft on October 11, 2024, and a commercial Indigo flight on December 29, 2024.
Joining him were key officials, including Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Shri Vipin Kumar (IAS), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) Regional Director Shri Prakash Nikam, CIDCO Vice Chairman & Managing Director Shri Vijay Singhal (IAS), CIDCO Joint Managing Director Shri Shantanu Goel (IAS), and CIDCO Chief General Manager (Transport & Airport) Smt. Geetha Pillai. Officials from Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (NMIAL) were also present.
The inspection, which began on February 24, involved a thorough assessment by AAI and DGCA teams. The review covered critical infrastructure such as the runway, apron, taxiways, air traffic control (ATC) tower, terminal building, and baggage handling systems.
As part of the airport’s operational readiness demonstration, a mock check-in process was conducted for dignitaries, including the issuance of dummy boarding passes and baggage tags—a step appreciated by the inspection team.
Aviation Boost for Mumbai Metropolitan Region
Developed by CIDCO over 1,160 hectares, NMIA aims to ease congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai. The airport’s initial capacity is set at 20 million passengers per annum (MPPA) and 0.8 million tons of cargo, with an ultimate capacity of 90 MPPA and 2.6 million tons of cargo annually.
Strategically located in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), NMIA is expected to be a major catalyst for economic growth and connectivity. CIDCO has integrated seamless transport options, including roadways, suburban rail, metro, and water transport, alongside the planned Mumbai-Hyderabad High-Speed Rail Corridor.
With the DGCA’s inspection marking a significant milestone, NMIA is on track to becoming a key aviation hub, strengthening Mumbai’s position as a global transit gateway.
