The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is likely to issue an aerodrome licence to the Adani Group’s Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) by end-August, enabling full commercial operations from mid-November, according to Adani Airports Holdings (AAHL) officials.

The licence is a critical step, with a final inspection due in the coming weeks. AAHL CEO Arun Bansal stated, “Post the inauguration, it will take 45 days to start commercial operations; that is mid-November. The airport will have to be handed over to the CISF for security. We will start with domestic and international operations at one go.”

Within six months of launch, NMIA expects passenger traffic to hit 20 million—its installed Phase 1 capacity. Given higher demand forecasts, AAHL has revised Phase 2 capacity plans from 30 million to 40 million, taking total annual capacity to 60 million, extendable to 65 million. Phase 2, starting 3–6 months after Phase 1 operations, will be completed by 2029 and will add a second runway, terminal, automated people mover, and metro link.