The upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set to redefine passenger convenience with a strong digital strategy from day one of its operations. The airport, operated by Adani Group's Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL), will commence commercial flights on 25 December 2024. Its opening will be marked by the introduction of complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and a comprehensive digital communication ecosystem designed to minimize physical touchpoints.
Adani OneApp: Your Digital Travel Companion
At the heart of this digital initiative is the Adani OneApp, a virtual assistant and guide for all passengers. The application aims to provide real-time, personalised updates directly to travellers' mobile phones. This move is expected to significantly reduce reliance on traditional physical information counters and static display boards within the terminal.
The app's functionality is extensive. Flyers will receive instant alerts regarding flight status, boarding gate changes, schedules, and other critical operational notifications. Beyond flight info, the Adani OneApp will also serve as a terminal guide, offering details on food and beverage outlets, retail stores, lounges, and other facilities. This allows passengers to navigate the new airport efficiently and plan their pre-flight time effectively.
Free High-Speed Connectivity & Made-in-India Network
Complementing the app-based services, NMIAL will provide free Wi-Fi connectivity across the entire terminal. Airport officials have confirmed that the network will offer speeds of up to 10 Mbps, engineered for high throughput and stability even during peak hours. This will enable seamless use of messaging services, digital payments, app-based cab bookings, email, streaming, and video calls.
In a significant partnership aligned with the 'Made in India' initiative, the airport has collaborated with state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL). BSNL will deploy its indigenous mobile network services at the airport, utilizing telecom infrastructure developed domestically by C-DoT, Tejas Networks, and TCS. This network is 4G/5G-ready, with plans to upgrade to 5G in key metros like Mumbai. BSNL's voice and data services will cater to passengers, staff, and operations, forming a robust complement to the Wi-Fi network.
Airport Scale and Phased Development
The Navi Mumbai International Airport is developed as the second airport for the Mumbai metropolitan region. The Adani Group holds a 74% majority stake in the project. Built with an initial investment of ₹19,650 crore, the first phase will have a capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually.
Operations will begin with a limited number of flights, scaling up gradually in a phased manner. The ultimate vision is to serve up to 90 million passengers per year, which will alleviate the severe capacity constraints at the existing Mumbai airport and support the region's long-term air traffic growth. Officials stated that final operational readiness checks and system trials are currently underway to ensure all digital and physical systems are fully functional for the public opening on Christmas Day.
