Mumbai, December 25 (IANS). Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) began its commercial services on Thursday, marking a major milestone for Mumbai’s airspace and the country’s infrastructure development.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani personally welcomed the first passengers and called it a proud day for Mumbai and the country. He saluted the soldiers protecting the country. He also praised the workers who built this airport with hard work. He also saluted the farmers who provide food to the country and the disabled who inspire the society.
“While welcoming the first passengers of Navi Mumbai Airport and standing with the Param Vir Chakra recipients, I realized that India is now rapidly moving in a new direction,” he said.
Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is now officially operational, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8.
With the opening of this airport, Mumbai has joined the list of global cities that have more than one airport, like London and New York, which operate multiple airports to handle the increasing air traffic.
The airport will help decongest Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and cater to the long-haul air travel needs of the region.
The airport is developed and operated by Adani Airports Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited.
Navi Mumbai Airport is one of the largest greenfield airport projects in India and has been completed in record time.
The first commercial flight, IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru, landed here at 8 am and was welcomed with the traditional water cannon salute.
On the very first day of its operations, the airport operated 48 flights connecting 9 domestic cities and served more than 4,000 passengers.
On the first day, traffic was at its peak in the morning. It is clear from this that the demand to travel from here is strong from day one.
Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airports Holdings Limited, said that this new airport will help in creating a strong and flexible multi-airport system for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), thereby improving the passenger experience and supporting future air travel growth.
A grand drone show with 1,500 synchronized drones was also held at the airport on the eve of the launch.
–IANS
DBP/ABM