Mumbai: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which is set to open in March 2025, witnessed a significant milestone on October 11 as it welcomed its first aircraft. During a trial run, an Airbus C-295 transport aircraft from the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully landed on the newly constructed runway.

The trial flight took off from NMIA, marking an important step in the testing process before the airport officially opens next year. The first phase of this ambitious project, a collaboration between Adani Airports and the CIDC, is on track for completion by March 2025.

The trial run took place between 10 AM and 2 PM, with the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The aircraft landed on the newly built 3,700-meter runway, highlighting the progress made in the airport’s construction. Officials noted that approximately 75% of the terminal building is already complete.

A spokesperson for the project stated, "We expect the airport to be fully operational for domestic flights by March 2025, with international services to follow in the next five to six months."

Covering an area of 1,200 hectares, NMIA is designed to feature four terminals and two runways. Once fully operational, it is projected to handle 90 million passengers annually, accommodate 350 aircraft, and manage 2.6 million tonnes of cargo. The initial phase of Terminal 1 is expected to serve 20 million passengers and handle 0.8 million tonnes of cargo.

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