Mumbai has created a new history with the commencement of commercial flight operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Thursday. Mumbai has now become the first metropolis in India to have two full-fledged international airports operating simultaneously. Now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and the new Navi Mumbai Airport together will meet the domestic and international air travel needs of the country’s financial capital and surrounding areas.
More than 4000 passengers boarded the flight on the very first day, air service started for 9 major cities of the country
The enthusiasm of the passengers at the airport on the day of inauguration was palpable. A total of 48 flights to domestic destinations were successfully operated from here on the first day, through which more than 4,000 passengers enjoyed the journey. At present, direct flights have been started from NMIA to 9 major cities of the country including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai. According to the plan of the airport management, this network will be gradually expanded and international services will also be added in the coming time, giving passengers options for destinations around the world.
First flight welcomed with water-cannon salute, world class infrastructure ready in record time
The historic day began at 8 am, when IndiGo flight 6E460 made its first official landing on the runway. As per aviation tradition, this first flight was welcomed with a grand ‘water-cannon salute’. This airport is also in the news for the speed and quality of its construction. Its airside and terminal infrastructure has been built in record time. It is considered to be one of the most modern, green and sustainable (eco-friendly) airports in the country, which is all set to provide world-class facilities to the passengers.
Heavy pressure of passengers will reduce on CSMIA, people of Navi Mumbai and Pune corridor will save precious time.
With the opening of this new airport, the picture of air travel in Mumbai is going to change. With the coming into existence of the ‘Dual International Airport Model’, the congestion and slot pressure at the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will be reduced to a great extent. This will increase the number of flights and is expected to reduce delays in flights. The biggest relief will be provided to residents of Navi Mumbai and the surrounding Navi Mumbai–Pune corridor. Now they will not have to travel for hours by road to the main city of Mumbai to catch a flight, which will make their journey easier and connectivity will be much better.
