Navi Mumbai airport moves a step closer to opening, receives aerodrome licence

The licence allows the airport to commence flight operations. Representational Pic/File

Moving a step closer to its inauguration, the Navi Mumbai Airport in Maharashtra on Tuesday officially received its aerodrome licence, officials said.

The aerodrome licence is a key approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the Navi Mumbai Airport, they said.

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The licence means the airport has met all the necessary safety and regulatory standards, and is now allowed to begin operations.

Officials said that the licence allows the airport to commence flight operations, although the exact date for the start of commercial flights will be announced soon.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to help reduce air traffic pressure from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai and provide better connectivity for travellers in the region.

An official date for its inauguration is yet to be announced.

Sources said that in its first phase, the airport will handle 20 million passengers annually and 0.5 million tonnes of cargo.

Strategically, it positions Mumbai alongside twin-airport cities like London, Dubai, and New York, where multiple airports spread demand, encourage competition and passenger convenience, they said.