Good news for the frequent air travellers from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued the aerodrome licence to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), marking a major step towards its commercial operations. The licence marks the final approval required for the new airport to commence operations.

The licence was handed over by DGCA Chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, bringing the long-awaited greenfield airport closer to its inauguration, which is expected in October by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to NMIA officials, the licence allows the airport to host airlines and passengers safely, meeting all regulatory standards for aircraft operations, passenger handling, and safety management.

NMIA is jointly owned by Adani Airports and the City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). The airport applied for the licence in February, and following inspections and test flights, the DGCA had earlier listed around 200 obstacles, including tall trees and mobile towers, that needed to be removed. Other changes to flight approaches were also required before approval.

Airlines are already preparing to operate from the new airport. IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India have announced plans to start services. Air India Express will initially operate 20 daily flights connecting 15 Indian cities, with plans to expand to 55 daily departures, including international flights by mid-2026, and up to 60 daily flights by winter 2026.

NMIA is expected to ease congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), which handled over 50 million passengers last year, near its full capacity.

The DGCA licence follows previous instructions to the airport to reduce activities that could attract birds, including addressing unauthorised animal slaughter near the runway in Ulwe, raised by environmental groups.

With the aerodrome licence now in place, NMIA is set to become a modern gateway for regional and international connectivity, offering a new travel option for Mumbai and the surrounding areas.