The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has moved a step closer to becoming fully operational after successfully completing its first major passenger simulation trial on November 29 and 30. The milestone paves the way for the airport’s commercial launch on December 25, marking a historic addition to India’s aviation landscape.
Hundreds of volunteers participated as mock passengers to test real-world airport operations. The simulation covered every key passenger-facing process, including:
- Check-in
- Security screening
- Boarding procedures
- Arrival formalities
- Baggage claim
Multiple airlines — including IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express — were part of the testing, ensuring full operational readiness.
NMIA, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8, is being developed at a massive investment of ₹19,650 crore. Once fully functional, it is expected to become one of India’s largest and most advanced greenfield airports, significantly reducing the load on Mumbai’s congested Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
In an official post on X, the NMIA team shared:
“We successfully completed the first passenger trial with hundreds of simulated passengers. Every step, from check-in and security to boarding and baggage reclaim, was flawlessly tested. We look forward to welcoming you all from December 25.”
The airport’s operational launch is being viewed as a major infrastructural milestone for Navi Mumbai residents and the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The first commercial flight from the new airport is expected to take off on Christmas Day, marking a transformative upgrade to Mumbai’s aviation capacity.
