IndiGo and Air India have agreed to shift a part of their operations to the newly built Navi Mumbai International Airport, reflecting growing confidence among leading domestic carriers in its infrastructure and operational readiness. This milestone follows nearly 18 months of extensive consultations between the airport operator and airlines to facilitate a coordinated and phased transition to replace the ageing Terminal 1, CSMIA with modern aviation infrastructure. In addition to the existing road network, three new bridges—SBR-9, BR-4 and BR-5—built by CIDCO across Panvel Creek and the Gadhi River, are set to improve connectivity between Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), Atal Setu, Ulwe Coastal Road, Amra Marg and NH-4B. Distributing traffic between CSMIA and Navi Mumbai will help ease capacity constraints, facilitate planned infrastructure upgrades and improve operational efficiency across Mumbai’s aviation network. The redevelopment of CSMIA’s Terminal 1 will create a safer, modernised and digitally enabled facility, which will provide airlines with greater scope for growth and support Mumbai’s long-term economic development and international connectivity. Importantly, the redevelopment will also preserve the city’s aviation legacy while preparing its infrastructure to meet the needs of the future. The development of Navi Mumbai alongside CSMIA offers Mumbai the opportunity to evolve into a dual-airport gateway, with greater capacity and wider international connectivity, as per an official communique.
