Navi Mumbai: The much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is likely to be inaugurated on May 15, officials familiar with the development confirmed on Tuesday, as per reports.

The airport, a joint venture managed by Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) under the collaboration of Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), is expected to remarkably reduce the pressure on Mumbai’s congested Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).

On Tuesday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted a detailed on-ground assessment of the airport's readiness. The evaluation team included Vipin Kumar, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Prakash Nikam, Regional Director of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), along with officials from AAHL and CIDCO. The assessment aimed to verify the airport’s preparedness for commercial operations.

According to a Hindustan Times report, a DGCA official stated, “The preparedness of NMIA was reviewed. The airport authorities have informed us that they will apply for all necessary permits by March 5, which we will process accordingly.”

The NMIA had faced some challenges earlier. During a commercial flight validation test on December 29, involving an IndiGo A320 aircraft landing on runway 08/26, the DGCA noted certain issues in the airport’s preparedness. However, Tuesday’s inspection revealed that 90 per cent of those concerns had been effectively addressed.

Airport To Apply For Aerodrome Licence Soon

The airport operator is set to apply for the crucial aerodrome license on February 28. Once submitted, the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) is expected to be approved by the DGCA by March 5 or 7, with the publication likely before April 30. The AIP, a critical set of documents issued by the DGCA, provides essential information for flight operations, ensuring pilots and operators have all the necessary details to navigate safely within the designated airspace.

According to the report, a senior official involved in the project mentioned, “Once the AIP is published, NMIA will proceed to apply for the aerodrome license to commence operations from May 15.”

The new airport is poised to transform Mumbai's aviation landscape. Initially, it is expected to handle 10-12 million passengers annually, including approximately 9 million domestic and 3 million international travellers. The airport's Terminal 2, designed for a capacity of 30 million passengers per annum, is scheduled to become operational by the end of 2028.

With its advanced infrastructure and strategic planning, NMIA is set to become a crucial aviation hub, promoting growth and easing the burden on Mumbai’s existing airport.