Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, on Thursday hailed war heroes, workers, farmers and the specially abled as the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), India’s newest Greenfield airport, welcomed its first passengers on Christmas Day.
The airport, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8, formally commenced commercial operations, marking a major milestone in India’s aviation and infrastructure development.
Welcoming the first passengers, Gautam Adani saluted soldiers who protect the nation, workers who built the airport with what he described as ‘unbreakable spirit’, farmers who sustain the country, and the specially abled who inspire society every day.
In a post on social media platform X, Adani said it was a deeply moving moment to stand alongside Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Bana Singh and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar as NMIA received its first travellers.
He also said that alongside the war heroes stood the quiet architects of the nation — the workers who constructed the airport, the farmers and their families who feed India, social workers associated with the Adani Foundation, and specially abled colleagues, many of whom experienced their first-ever flight.
Summing up the spirit of the moment, Gautam Adani said, “Soldiers who protect Bharat. Workers who build Bharat. Farmers who sustain Bharat. Social workers who serve Bharat. The specially abled who inspire Bharat.”
He added that NMIA represents an opportunity for India to move forward inclusively, without leaving anyone behind. Describing the occasion as an honour, Adani said the airport symbolises dignity, opportunity and the collective strength of the nation.
“Their blessings, courage and resilience drive us every single day to build bigger, serve better, and work harder in the service of the nation,” he said, ending his message with ‘Jai Hind’.
Furthermore, Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed under a public-private partnership model.
Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL) owns a 74 per cent stake in its subsidiary, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), while the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) holds the remaining 26 per cent.
In the first month of operations, NMIA will function for 12 hours daily, between 08:00 hours and 20:00 hours, handling 23 scheduled daily departures.
During the initial launch phase, airlines including IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa Air are operating services from the airport, connecting Mumbai to 16 major domestic destinations.
From February 2026, NMIA will transition to round-the-clock operations, expanding to 34 daily departures to meet the growing aviation needs of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The airport is also conducting comprehensive Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) trials in coordination with airlines, security agencies and other stakeholders.
With its inclusive message and phased expansion, Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to play a transformative role in regional connectivity, economic growth and India’s aviation future.
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