Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 25 (ANI): Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) commenced industrial operations on Thursday, marking a landmark growth of Mumbai’s aviation capability and a decisive step in India’s infrastructure journey.
With NMIA now operational, Mumbai joins world aviation cities akin to London, New York, Moscow, Tokyo and Shanghai, every supported by a number of airports to fulfill rising demand, as per a press release launched by the Adani Group.
For the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), this alerts the beginning of a real multi-airport system designed for scale, resilience and the longer term.
Developed and operated by Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), an entirely owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), NMIA is amongst India’s largest greenfield airport tasks. Conceived to ease congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), the challenge underscores the Adani Group’s capacity to ship complicated, nation-building infrastructure in report time.
The inaugural industrial arrival–IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru–landed at 08:00 hours to a standard water cannon salute. On Day One, NMIA dealt with 48 flights connecting 9 home locations, serving over 4,000 passengers, with peak visitors recorded between 05:00 and 07:00 hours, reflecting robust early demand and operational readiness from the outset, the discharge mentioned.
Chairman Gautam Adani personally welcomed passengers from the inaugural flight and interacted with airport workers, frontline staff and first-time flyers.
He later joined a ceremonial stroll by the departure terminal with airport workers, neighborhood representatives and Adani Foundation beneficiaries.
The airport launch concluded with a flag-hoisting ceremony led by Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Bana Singh and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, adopted by the nationwide anthem. Leading sportspersons Suryakumar Yadav, Mithali Raj and Sunil Chhetri, together with social influencers Malini Agarwal and Viraj Ghelani, had been current.
Adani mentioned that welcoming NMIA’s first passengers, alongside the Param Vir Chakra awardees, supplied a glimpse of India now taking form.
Standing with staff, farmers, social staff and colleagues with disabilities, he mentioned, captured the spirit of a nation transferring ahead with confidence and compassion. Calling it ‘a proud day for Mumbai and for India,’ he added that NMIA stands as a promise of what the nation can obtain when ambition is guided by objective and delivered with velocity and execution.
Airline management from IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa Air participated within the launch, confirming the beginning of scheduled departures from Navi Mumbai.
Cultural performances that includes conventional Maharashtrian Lezim (folks dance), Dhol (percussion drums) and Tutari (ceremonial wind instrument) added a robust native flavour, providing guests a vivid glimpse into Maharashtra’s cultural heritage.
Farmers, underprivileged households and colleagues with disabilities skilled their first-ever flight by a particular chartered aerial tour of Mumbai.
India Post additionally launched a commemorative First Flight Carried Special Cover that includes the NMIA terminal, flown on an IndiGo service to Goa.
Jeet Adani, Director, AAHL, mentioned NMIA establishes a resilient multi-airport system for the MMR, boosting capability, enhancing passenger expertise and futureproofing the area’s aviation development.
On the eve of operations, NMIA’s skyline got here alive with a drone spectacle that includes 1,515 synchronised drones themed Rise of India. The show showcased a 3D lotus, the airport’s iconic design, sustainability themes and a hovering plane, witnessed by younger athletes, NMIA groups and neighborhood members collectively.
‘A brand new gateway has opened. With it, Mumbai and India look forward with confidence, able to rise and fly greater,’ he mentioned. (ANI)