The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is expected to commence international passenger and cargo operations from July 15, according to senior airport officials. The launch is subject to the completion of final regulatory approvals and customs formalities.
NMIA Chairman Captain BVJK Sharma said that international passenger services are likely to begin alongside cargo operations on the same date. Initial routes are expected to focus on short-haul destinations, particularly in the Gulf region.
Airlines expected to operate early international services include Air India Express and IndiGo, marking the airport’s entry into global connectivity.
International freighter operations are also scheduled to begin on July 15, with plans to gradually scale up capacity to around 18 weekly cargo flights.
Officials stated that customs authorities have already reviewed the airport’s readiness. Final procedural steps, including Section 45 compliance, courier and cargo system trials, and related approvals, are currently underway. A customs trade notification is expected around July 5.
NMIA is also revising its long-term infrastructure strategy. The originally planned 30-million-passenger Terminal 2 is being redesigned into a larger facility with a capacity of 50 million passengers annually.
The terminal is expected to eventually handle a significant share of international traffic. In the final phase of expansion, the airport aims to handle up to 90 million passengers annually and 3.2 million tonnes of cargo.
Officials added that construction will follow a phased approach, with core infrastructure being built first and expanded based on demand.
To support future growth, NMIA is being developed as a multimodal transport hub. Planned connectivity includes Metro Line 8, high-speed rail links, expanded road infrastructure, and future water transport services to ensure seamless passenger access across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Domestic operations at NMIA began in December last year. The airport currently handles around 20,000 passengers daily with approximately 150 flight movements.
By the end of the year, traffic is expected to increase to 50,000 passengers per day and around 380 aircraft movements.
On June 15, NMIA was named among the Prix Versailles World’s Most Beautiful Airports 2026, joining airports in Guangzhou, Frankfurt, Kandal Stueng, Pittsburgh, and San Diego.
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