Navi Mumbai International Airport is a long-awaited addition to Mumbai and Maharashtra’s transport infrastructure and integral to sustaining the region’s continued growth. The foundation stone for the new airport was laid by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 18 February 2018, with the project placed on a fast-track programme of completion.
Prime Minister Modi said at the foundation stone ceremony, “The aviation sector worldwide is moving very fast… we cannot afford to lag. For 70 years, there was no aviation policy in India, which we have now implemented to provide all-round connectivity.”
Demand for air travel in India makes its aviation sector amongst the world’s fastest growing. The country’s airlines currently operate almost 450 passenger planes, with 900 additional aircraft ordered for delivery in the coming years, representing more than 200% growth.
With a total planned capacity of 60+ million passengers per year, NMIA will be built in Navi Mumbai, across Mumbai Harbour, connected to the city by the planned Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and rail links with the local and national networks.
As part of its commission, ZHA will be responsible for the overall long-term design and execution of NMIA’s Terminal 1, Air Traffic Control Tower and associated landside access.
Cristiano Ceccato, ZHA Project Director, said, “We are very proud to have been awarded the Navi Mumbai International Airport that will be a much needed addition to Mumbai’s infrastructure and an additional gateway to India. Our ambition is for the design to speak to India’s future, while celebrating its present and honouring its past.”
Mouzhan Majidi, ZHA CEO, said, “Navi Mumbai International Airport is a transformative and unique project and we look forward to our partnership with GVK, working together to develop NMIA into one of the most sustainable passenger-centric airports in the world, and the opportunity to contribute to India’s continued growth and success.”