PM Modi to Inaugurate This fresh Airport, Arrive with Boeing 777 'India One'

NAVI MUMBAI- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will land at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on October 8 aboard the VVIP ‘India One’ aircraft (IATA: AI1) to inaugurate the long-awaited airport. This marks the first official widebody aircraft arrival at NMIA (IATA: NMI), a milestone moment ahead of its public opening.

The ‘India One’ Boeing 777, used for VVIP transport, already conducted a trial landing at NMIA earlier this week. Operated by Indian Air Force pilots, the test run validated the airport’s readiness to handle widebody jets before the high-profile inauguration.

Photo: Sandeep/ atc spotter

PM Modi to Inaugurate Navi Mumbai Airport

Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (NMIAL), the operator, received its aerodrome license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on October 1.

This regulatory clearance was the final requirement before opening the airport to the public. The approval follows years of delays, multiple deadline extensions, and intensive site development.

Alongside the airport’s inauguration, the Prime Minister is expected to launch several development projects and attend a fintech event in Mumbai. His direct arrival at NMIA underscores the airport’s operational capability to manage high-security, large-capacity aircraft movements from day one.

The operational drill with ‘India One’ was carried out successfully, confirming NMIA’s preparedness for widebody operations. The Boeing 777 VVIP jet landed at around 10:30 am and departed for Delhi by 2:00 pm after meeting all required safety, navigation, and ground-handling checks.

This was the first widebody landing at NMIA, following IndiGo’s (6E) test flight with an Airbus A320 in December last year.

NMIA is designed to accommodate Code E aircraft with wingspans between 52 and 65 meters, making it fully capable of handling Boeing 777s and similar aircraft types.

Photo: Gautam Adani

Adani Group’s Role

The Adani Group, which holds a majority stake in NMIAL, is steering the project in partnership with the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO).

Gautam Adani personally reviewed the airport’s progress earlier this week, flying in with his private jet to conduct a site walkthrough.

During his visit, Adani emphasized the project’s scale and significance, calling NMIA a monument to the “spirit of Bharat.” He highlighted the role of thousands of workers in bringing the airport to life, framing it as both an engineering achievement and a symbol of India’s growth.

The airport project was first launched in February 2018, when PM Modi laid the foundation stone. Built at a cost of ₹16,700 crore, NMIA aims to ease pressure on the congested Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM).

Development is structured in five phases. The first phase will support 20 million passengers annually, along with 0.5 million metric tons of cargo.

At full build-out, NMIA is projected to handle 90 million passengers and 3.2 million metric tons of cargo each year, making it one of India’s largest and most important aviation hubs.

Photo: Navi Mumbai International Airport

Named After DB Patil

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) will officially be named Loknete DB Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced. The move fulfills a long-standing demand from residents of Navi Mumbai (BOM) and neighboring districts.

According to Fadnavis, the Maharashtra State Cabinet and both Houses of the Legislature have already approved the proposal to name the airport after Loknete Dinkar Balu Patil. The matter was also presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave a positive response.

The Maharashtra government confirmed that the decision to rename Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) carries full state-level approval. However, the Central Government is finalizing a comprehensive policy on the naming of large infrastructure projects, including airports.

Under this framework, state-approved proposals will guide the final decision at the national level. Once this process is complete, the official name will be formally recognized.

Chief Minister Fadnavis described the decision as a “moment of justice,” emphasizing that it respects public sentiment while acknowledging the leadership of Loknete DB Patil. Known for his advocacy for farmers’ rights and his role in regional development, Patil played a central part in shaping Navi Mumbai’s growth.

Local leaders and activists had campaigned for decades to see his contribution recognized. The naming of the airport after him is now being viewed as a symbolic yet historic step that ties the city’s modern identity with its grassroots legacy.

The state also moved to address long-pending issues tied to the naming protests. Fadnavis announced that all police cases registered during demonstrations demanding that the airport be named after Loknete DB Patil will be withdrawn. He clarified that the intent is to prevent local youth from being denied jobs due to past records.

In addition, cases filed during the COVID-19 period in connection with such protests will also be resolved through due legal process, offering closure for affected families.

Beyond Navi Mumbai, two other airports in Maharashtra are set for renaming. Pune Airport (PNQ) will be named after Jagadguru Sant Tukaram, while Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport (IXU) will carry the name of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Official approvals for both are expected soon.

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