Images of the under-construction New Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) have gone viral on social media, giving the public its first detailed look at the sleek, lotus-inspired design and expansive terminal spaces. The pictures went viral right before the airport’s scheduled launch on September 30, 2025, which will mark a new chapter in Mumbai’s aviation infrastructure.
As per the latest reports, the first phase of NMIA is 94 per cent complete, with finishing touches going on runways, terminal interiors, and baggage handling systems. The initial operations will commence with 60 flights daily, and will further increase to 300 flights per day within six months. The airport is designed to cater to 20 million passengers annually in Phase 1. The airport is anticipated to eventually handle up to 90 million passengers a year once all four terminals and dual runways are completed.
Multimodal connectivity plan for NMIA
As per a report by the Indian Express, a multimodal connectivity plan has been prepared by the Maharashtra government, combining rail, Metro, road, and bus services.
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu) will reduce the travel time from South Mumbai to Ulwe, the site of the NMIA, to about 20 minutes from the bridge’s endpoint. The Sion-Panvel Highway, the Eastern Freeway, and a new elevated corridor from Thane are expected to further streamline travel duration, cutting commutes to just 30 minutes from some suburbs.
The report further stated that the MSRTC will also roll out dedicated airport express buses, including green electric buses, from hubs like Pune, Panvel, Dadar, Vashi, and Dadar.
Rail connectivity will depend on Panvel station as a feeder hub, with passengers from Nashik, Pune, and Raigad will be able to transfer through shuttle buses to the airport.
Special features of Navi Mumbai International Airport
Navi Mumbai International Airport blends a mixture of striking architecture with modern technology and sustainability. The terminal design is inspired by the lotus, and features a petal-shaped roof. NMIA spans about 1,160 hectares and has been built in phases. In terms of technological features, it includes automated baggage-handling systems, biometric check-ins, and streamlined security flows. The airport is being designed with a target 47-MV solar power capacity for its terminal phase, water conservation through low-flow fittings, and rainwater harvesting. Operational initiatives like electric vehicles for reducing emissions.
Airlines, including IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air, are likely to begin operations on the opening day.