Pune Has a New Airport? Why Punekars are celebrating the launch of Navi Mumbai International Airport
Punekars Celebrate the Launch of Navi Mumbai International Airport
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the much-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), and surprisingly, Punekars seem more excited than Mumbaikars. Netizens are humorously claiming that the new airport, though located in Navi Mumbai, will be more convenient for people from Pune.
The Massive Scale of Navi Mumbai International Airport
The Navi Mumbai International Airport is India’s largest greenfield aviation project, built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore. The first phase, spread across 1,160 hectares, includes a single terminal and runway with capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually.
Developed by Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL), the venture is primarily led by the Adani Group with a 74% stake, while the remaining 26% belongs to CIDCO, Maharashtra’s town planning authority.
The Legacy Behind the Airport’s Name
The airport has been officially named Loknete DB Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport, honoring the late politician and social activist who fought for fair compensation for project-affected citizens in the area. DB Patil’s name symbolizes justice, development, and community welfare – making the name fitting for such a landmark infrastructure project.
Why Punekars Are Claiming the Airport as Their Own
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Punekars have turned the inauguration into a moment of humor and pride. Many remarked that it’s actually faster to reach Navi Mumbai Airport from Pune than from some parts of Mumbai, such as Borivali.
One user joked, “Punekars now have a new airport, it’s funny that it’s called Navi Mumbai Airport,” while another added, “You’ll reach NMIA faster from Aundh than from Borivali.”
Punekars now have a new airport, it's funny that it's called Navi Mumbai airport #Travel ✈️ pic.twitter.com/HD6xi7jgtG
— Vineeth K (@DealsDhamaka) October 9, 2025
This isn’t even an exaggeration; it genuinely takes less time to reach NMIA from Pune than it does from Palghar. And Palghar is technically part of MMRDA, mind you. 😭 https://t.co/kHkZ5lO6QN pic.twitter.com/m9XPUSlObP
— Rahul Srinivas (@whizkidd) October 9, 2025
The new Navi Mumbai airport will be used more by people from Pune than by people from Mumbai.
— Aaraynsh (@aaraynsh) October 9, 2025
Once the upcoming Mumbai-Pune missing link project is completed, the travel time between Pune and NMIA will shrink even further – making the airport a preferred choice for Punekars who often face heavy traffic between Pune and Mumbai.
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A Gateway for Western Maharashtra
Beyond Pune, the Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to serve passengers from western Maharashtra, including Nashik and Satara. With its strategic connectivity and advanced infrastructure, NMIA is poised to transform regional air travel and reduce congestion at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
