To be inaugurated in August or September 2025, Navi Mumbai International Airport is a most ambitious aviation project for Rs 16,700 crore (around $2 billion). Flying through this airport would a unique experience unlike traveling through New Delhi or Mumbai CSMI Airport. Everything about the Navi Mumbai Airport project, from lotus-like design to water terminal to traffic-handling capacity is a wonder.
Navi Mumbai Airport – Local Sightseeing for Connecting Passengers
Connecting passengers with significant layovers at Navi Mumbai Airport would get to visit Lonavala, a most scenic hill station among the weekend getaways between Mumbai and Pune. NMIAL is planning to offer short sightseeing trips to Lonavala and other nearby tourist sites for travelers during long wait hours before connecting flights. If you have 6 hours or more to the next flight or international boarding, you can go for Lonavala sightseeing and come back to the airport.
The first Indian airport to offer local sightseeing tours, Navi Mumbai Airport would join the ranks of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Egypt, Singapore Changi, and Istanbul airports with stopover programs and sightseeing tours. Lonavala sightseeing experiences are being anticipated to be guided tours like Changi Airport’s free Singapore tours for transit travelers. “We are also looking at many options from among the must-visit places in Mumbai which could be explored with the help of Atal Setu,” said an official from NMIAL.
Since this initiative is in the works, we are waiting for more information, like sightseeing trips to Lonavala and other places from D B Patil Airport in Navi Mumbai would be complimentary or payable, whether this would be extended to inbound international arrivals,” said the chief travel economist of IndianEagle.com.
Navi Mumbai Airport to have Water Taxis
Water taxi rides between South Mumbai and DB Patil Airport in Navi Mumbai would be an altogether different experience for travelers, starting in 2026. Yes, among the existing and new airports in India, NMIA is the first to get water transportation on 8 routes to major points along the coast of Mumbai, like Colaba. A road trip to the airport from the mainland via the Mumbai Trans Harbor Link would take more than 60 minutes, whereas a water taxi ride would cut it to a mere 30 minutes. Part of the multimodal connectivity among Navi Mumbai Airport’s facilities, electric water taxis would make commuting to the airport smooth, scenic, and of course, Instagram worthy.
NMIA Food Hall: A Taste of Mumbai Inside the Terminal
Among Navi Mumbai Airport’s facilities, a curated Food Hall is all set to redefine airport dining for travelers. Designed by top chefs, this Food Hall brings together the flavors of Mumbai, from street-style vada pav to pav bhaji and fulfilling meals that reflect the City of Dreams’ culinary depth. It would be very unlike a typical food court at other airports where brand franchisees and quick-service restaurants charge a premium.
At NMIA Food Hall, you would get vegan, Jain, and diabetic-friendly food options, alongside a wide selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. And the best part? Prices would be in line with that of normal city restaurants, not the highly inflated rates at most airports. Navi Mumbai Airport will also have a food court outside the terminal building for non-passengers who come to see off or receive travelers.
Navi Mumbai Airport’s Experiential Zones Facility
After clearing security at Navi Mumbai DB Patil Airport, passengers would step into a special experiential zone designed to ease pre-flight stress. This in-terminal area will feature interactive displays, digital projections, and cultural artifacts showcasing the iconic landmarks of Mumbai, Maharashtra, and India at large. The experiential zone will have a calm ambience and a culturally rich space where passengers can relax and explore a bit of the local culture before boarding. Plus, a gaming area is coming up at the airport for families and children.
