India’s New Airports Set for Rapid Growth
New airports in India’s largest cities are on track to begin operations this year, and they have ambitious expansion plans for future phases. At the Routes Asia conference in Perth on March 26, senior executives from Noida International Airport near New Delhi and Navi Mumbai International Airport provided updates on their projects, highlighting the significant progress made and the long-term vision for increased capacity and enhanced connectivity.
Noida International Airport, being developed as a second airport for the New Delhi capital area, is currently focused on securing its licensing approval—a critical milestone for the project. According to Chief Operating Officer Kiran Jain, if everything goes as planned, licensing should be granted by mid-May. Achieving this milestone will allow the airport to determine a more precise opening date, and despite the inherent uncertainties, the airport remains confident it will open later this year. Initially designed to handle 12 million passengers per year with a single runway, Noida International Airport plans to gradually ramp up its operations through four distinct phases of growth. The long-term goal is to eventually boost annual capacity to 70 million passengers. Jain explained that the airport will adopt a “slow, steady ramp-up” approach, with subsequent phases beginning once the current phase reaches about 80% of its planned capacity. Given the current demand, Jain anticipates that the initial 12 million passenger target could be reached within just two and a half years. This rapid achievement would pave the way for the development of an early “phase 1A,” which could include additions such as extra gates and parking spaces to accommodate rising traffic levels.
In a similar drive to boost infrastructure, Navi Mumbai International Airport is also nearing its launch. The facility, designed to serve the Mumbai metropolitan area, is targeting an official inauguration in June, with commercial flights expected to commence by the end of July or early August. At the time of the conference, Chief Operating Officer Prabhat Mahapatra outlined that Navi Mumbai will open with an initial capacity to handle 20 million passengers per year, utilizing a single terminal and runway. However, the airport’s vision extends far beyond its initial phase. By the middle of 2029, the airport plans to expand its capacity to 50 million passengers annually through the addition of another terminal and runway. Further expansion phases are already in the planning stages, with the next phase expected to add another 20 million passenger capacity by 2032. The eventual goal for Navi Mumbai is to achieve a capacity of 90 million passengers per year by 2036. This phased approach is intended to manage growth in a controlled manner, ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with increasing demand.
Both airport projects are set to play a critical role in relieving pressure on existing facilities in their respective regions, while also boosting regional economic development and air connectivity. The new airports are expected to significantly enhance the travel experience for millions of passengers and provide a modern, efficient gateway for domestic and international flights. With these projects moving closer to completion, India is well on its way to strengthening its aviation network and meeting the rising demand for air travel in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
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