Passenger Terminal World - Passenger Terminal World January 2026
Lotus notes
Anthony James 2025-12-08 05:04:57
PTW goes behind the scenes of the recently inaugurated Navi Mumbai International Airport in India with Jeet Adani, the director of Adani Airports Holdings Limited
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) was inaugurated by India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on October 8. The facility’s developers claim that once it is complete, it will set a new benchmark for India’s aviation infrastructure, positioning Mumbai among leading global air hubs such as Dubai, London and New York.
Developed by a public-private partnership between Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a subsidiary of Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), NMIA will complement Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) as part of a dual-airport system serving the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
In its first two phases, NMIA will operate with a single runway and terminal (Terminal 1), as well as a dedicated cargo terminal. The airport will then scale to include two parallel runways and four terminals. With an initial capacity of 20 million passengers per annum (mppa), it will eventually expand to 90 million, which will make it one of the largest passenger-handling airports in India.
PTW catches up with AAHL’s Jeet Adani to find out more.
"NMIA will be among the first airports in India to offer a fully digital end-to-end experience Jeet Adani, Adani Airports Holdings Ltd
What was the project brief from both an operational and a design perspective?
The NMIA project originated as a policy decision in 2007, when India’s Union Cabinet approved the development of a new greenfield airport to ease capacity constraints at CSMIA, which was approaching its operational limits.
Over the years, the project navigated rigorous environmental assessments, a large-scale resettlement process and the engineering challenges of building across creeks and mangrove ecosystems before entering full-scale construction in 2022.
In August 2021, the Adani Group assumed operational management with the formation of Navi Mumbai International Airport (Private) Limited (NMIAL) – a joint venture between Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO). This alignment brought both of Mumbai’s airports under a single management framework, enabling synergy and efficiency in planning and operations.
In its first and second phases, the airport will be equipped to manage 20mppa, supported by one runway and a cargo capacity of 500,000 metric tons, ultimately scaling up to 90mppa upon full completion, currently scheduled around 2035. Built on a 1,160ha site, NMIA has been designed for 24-hour operations, incorporating intuitive passenger flow, passive cooling systems, renewable energy integration and future-ready infrastructure that balances scale with sustainability.
Designed by the globally acclaimed Zaha Hadid Architects, the terminal at NMIA takes inspiration from India’s national flower, the lotus – a symbol of purity, resilience and renewal – and combines cultural depth with modern functionality.
NMIA’s architectural vision merges symbolism with purpose, weaving India’s cultural identity into a globally benchmarked terminal experience. The lotus motif serves both as form and philosophy – representing growth and renewal while guiding the spatial rhythm of the design.
The terminal’s roof canopy, shaped like lotus petals resting above still water, gives the structure an impression of lightness and serenity. Beneath, 12 sculptural feature columns – hollowed to channel daylight – create dynamic patterns that shift with the movement of the sun, illuminating the concourse naturally throughout the day. The vast open spaces, supported by concealed megacolumns, allow uninterrupted sightlines that enhance orientation and calm.
This interplay of structure, light and symbolism creates a distinctly Indian yet universally modern airport – one that celebrates movement, materiality and meaning in equal measure.
The airport’s most striking features lie in its marriage of scale, symbolism and light. The 12 sculptural feature columns serve not only as engineering marvels but as conduits for daylight. The floating roof canopy, reminiscent of lotus petals, and the interplay of skylights create a soft, diffused glow across the concourse, offering a sense of openness and calm. The deliberate visual axis and expansive vistas make the terminal feel less like a transit point and more like a civic space – both uplifting and intuitive.
How have you created a sense of place?
At NMIA, passengers will not just be traveling from the terminal but also experiencing the culture of Maharashtra and India. The focus remains on turning the airport experience into a vibrant destination that goes beyond traditional aviation services, positioning itself as an exciting destination in itself.
A sense of place is cultivated through an architectural and cultural dialog that celebrates India’s identity. The lotus motif extends across interior finishes, flooring and wayfinding, while the radial layout of concourses mirrors the geometry of lotus petals. The sculptural columns draw inspiration from temple mandapas and the cave halls of Ajanta and Ellora, echoing India’s architectural heritage through contemporary form.
Light, too, becomes a narrative element – filtering through skylights and hollowed columns, shifting in tone throughout the day to create a meditative rhythm. Together, these elements establish a space that feels deeply Indian yet globally resonant – a modern sanctum of flight, rooted in heritage and identity.
There will also be specific experiential zones – NMIA is designed to transform dwell time into leisure time. It will feature interactive art installations, digital storytelling spaces and calm zones to engage passengers and make the airport journey a more pleasant experience, enhancing the overall passenger journey.
What have been some of the most notable challenges?
Developing a world-class international airport like NMIA has been an ambitious and carefully executed infrastructure project. As with any large-scale greenfield project, it is a complex undertaking. NMIAL – the developer of NMIA – is working on the extensive planning, site preparation, regulatory approvals and coordination with various agencies.
The aviation sector in India is highly regulated, necessitating adherence to strict safety, environmental and operational standards at every stage. Every step in the development of NMIA has been undertaken to ensure long-term resilience, environmental sustainability and operational excellence.
The progress achieved reflects close alignment between regulatory authorities, contractors and stakeholders – ensuring that every milestone meets engineering and environmental benchmarks.
In its final phase, NMIA will feature 245 passenger aircraft stands Source: NMIAL
NMIA has been described as India’s ‘first digital airport’ – how so?
NMIA will be among the first airports in India to offer a fully digital end-to-end experience from the first day of commercial operations. It stands as a strong example of how smart technology and digitalization can enhance the passenger experience while improving the airport’s overall operational efficiency.
This digital journey is enabled through various components. These include the Adani OneApp, which serves as a single-window interface for a wide range of airport services, and simplifies the entire passenger journey – from planning a trip to returning home.
Meanwhile, for self-service and tracking, the airport integrates Digi Yatra for added convenience, along with automated self bag drop and tagging systems. This is complemented by end-to-end baggage tracking and app-based alerts that keep passengers informed. Automated tracking is made possible through 360° bagtag readers and app-based baggage alerts. Video analytics enable first-bag and last-bag monitoring, ensuring efficient baggage handling.
On the airside, multiple software systems ensure operations remain predictive, precise and efficient. These include tools offering real-time, historical and predictive flight insights, as well as the Surface Monitoring Guidance and Control System (SMGCS) for safe and efficient aircraft and vehicle movement across the airport surface.
At NMIA, the integration of technology extends further through the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and IoT sensors at every touchpoint. Video analytics will also play a key role in improving passenger flow and ensuring a smoother travel experience throughout the airport.
We’re also using digital twins across three areas, namely visualization, the Airport Operations Control Center (AOCC) and predictive models. The entire project is built with BIM 360, with a very high level of detail (LOD) and digital twin maturity.
LOD 500 is the highest level of information, helping BIM 360 to build an extremely accurate digital twin by including detailed information about the actual equipment installed, including make and model, warranty and several other parameters. Operations/AOCC will be able to use this information for more precise predictive analysis. One of the use cases will be preventative maintenance/alerts before the system breaks down.
At Adani Airports Holdings Limited, we have also built Aviio, our own data analytics platform for situational awareness and predictive models. This will be available to the AOCC from day one.
How will technology enhance the passenger experience?
NMIA will feature a state-of-the-art baggage handling system (BHS) integrated with a range of self-service kiosks to make the passenger journey seamless. The system will be among the most technologically advanced and fastest of its kind in the world, ensuring efficient and reliable baggage processing throughout the airport.
The BHS is an automatic sorter system designed to process 3,600 bags per hour. The current estimated demand is around 2,400 bags per hour.
Pre-security has provision for a remote screening control room instead of individual x-ray machines. Currently, most airports undertake passenger screening at local stations installed at screening machines. However, NMIA has an option to move to remote screening – using a local control room for screening carry-on baggage and items – to increase throughput and optimize security staffing.
Overall, NMIA is designed with a passenger-first approach, with all the essential touchpoints, ranging from self check-in to self baggage drop (SBD) and e-gates with integrated Digi Yatra, enabled by the use of common-use self-service (CUSS) technology through the entire terminal.
NMIA has four gates for passengers to enter the terminal, with six kiosks at each gate. There are also three check-in islands – A, B and C. The first houses 33 CUSS counters, with 10 self-service kiosks; the second has 22 counters with one dedicated OOG (out-of-gauge) counter and eight self-service kiosks; and the last has 11 CUSS counters, 22 SBD counters and 11 hybrid CUSS counters with 21 self-service kiosks.
This makes all passenger touchpoints accessible to passengers without manual intervention.
What about F&B and retail?
Overall, NMIA plans to have about 110 retail and F&B outlets. The retail mix will include curated domestic brands and regional crafts to appeal to passengers seeking unique experiences.
The airport’s F&B offerings will integrate high-street names, international chains and local food concepts to create a true sense of place and give passengers a taste of Mumbai’s culture.
We have also planned entertainment and food hall areas accessible to non-passengers, such as local residents and families waiting for travelers. This extends the customer base beyond travelers and creates footfall from the wider community, making the airport a destination in its own right.
How important is sustainability?
NMIAL is aligned with AAHL’s overarching ESG goals, ensuring that its operations, policies and practices reflect the same commitment to sustainability and stakeholder value creation. NMIAL is targeting operational net zero emissions and pursuing the highest level of Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) certification.
“We’re also developing infrastructure to support the use of sustainable aviation fuel”
The airport is leveraging a digital approach to ensure compliance with national and international disclosure requirements, embedding a dedicated ESG monitoring and reporting system into its operations.
In alignment with NMIAL’s commitment to operational excellence and sustainability, the airport is working toward attaining ISO certifications under quality, environmental management, energy management and occupational health and safety.
20 million passengers per annum (mppa): Initial phase capacity NMIAL
Key sustainability measures include clean energy and carbon mitigation. NMIAL’s sustainability strategy focuses on attaining carbon neutrality and achieving operational net zero status. The airport aims to function exclusively on green electricity, to satisfy its final-phase operational requirements.
The airport is investing in decarbonization of ground operations. The target is for the internal vehicle fleet to be made up of electric vehicles, supported by a comprehensive network of charging stations.
Non-CO2-based fire suppression systems will be used instead of traditional equipment and fire extinguishers that emit greenhouse gases.
In additon, we’re also developing infrastructure to support the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to address upstream emissions.
A long-term water strategy focuses on reducing consumption, recycling wastewater and replenishing local water sources. This includes using low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption, and implementing a rainwater harvesting system. NMIAL aims to validate its water positivity status through certification standards.
NMIAL will also be adopting the 5R (reduce, reuse, reprocess, recycle, recover) principles of waste management to ensure it sends zero waste to landfill; and is working toward achieving zero waste to landfill status.
Bold vision
NMIA’s development aligns with the ideals and goals set out in Viksit Bharat 2047 – the Indian government’s vision to transform the nation into a developed country by the centenary of its independence in 1947. As such, the new airport is seen as a key contributor to India’s broader goals of infrastructure modernization, sustainability and global competitiveness.
“NMIA embodies the aspiration for a developed, self-reliant India – integrating advanced design, renewable systems and cultural authenticity to represent the nation’s future-ready infrastructure vision,” explains Adani.
“It significantly strengthens Mumbai’s role as India’s leading aviation hub by operating in tandem with CSMIA as part of a dual-airport system serving the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). With the capability to handle up to 90 million passengers annually once completely operational, the airport will enhance both domestic and international connectivity, reducing congestion and improving travel efficiency.”
©UKi Media & Events. View All Articles.
Lotus notes
https://passengerterminalworld.mydigitalpublication.com/articles/lotus-notes