As India’s corporate travel market grows, the Mumbai metropolitan region is seeing one of the biggest shifts in its general-aviation landscape. For private flyers and charter operators deciding between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA, “Mumbai airport”) and the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), 2025 is the year to compare what’s available now vs. what’s being built for tomorrow. Below we break down facilities, operations, and the practical implications for Mumbai and NMIA business aviation — using the latest publicly available facts.
Quick snapshot
- At Mumbai airport (CSMIA), the renovated General Aviation (GA) terminal has been in operation since 2022. It offers customs and immigration facilities, comfortable passenger lounges, crew services, and direct ramp access for private jets. The terminal is designed to handle current GA traffic efficiently, but it has limited hangar space and long-term parking capacity.
- At Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), the authorities are building a purpose-designed GA precinct. This includes plans for hundreds of business-jet stands, hangars, a fuel farm, MRO capability, and a dedicated VVIP terminal to be rolled out in phases. The airport is expected to evolve into the region’s primary GA hub as it scales up operations in 2025.
Facilities & capacity for Mumbai and NMIA business aviation
CSMIA (Mumbai) currently operates a compact but modern GA terminal that focuses on speed and premium passenger handling — ideal for short arrivals/departures, VIP drop-offs and for flights that need immediate access to the city. The terminal’s processing capacity suits present volumes, but permanent hangar space and long-term parking are constrained by airport space. This makes Mumbai a great option for quick in-and-out flights and access to South Mumbai’s business districts.
NMIA (Navi Mumbai) was designed with general aviation scale in mind: published plans and Adani/airport briefings highlight dozens of GA stands, multiple dedicated hangars, a large GA terminal and a fuel farm — aiming to accommodate far more business jets and helicopters than CSMIA can in the long run. The blueprint includes a heliport and MRO infrastructure, which will benefit operators needing maintenance or overnight stays. As operations expand, many private and charter parking slots are expected to shift from CSMIA to NMIA.
Operational advantages & timings
- Turnaround & privacy: Both airports offer private-flight services, but NMIA’s design brings more ramp space and dedicated GA aprons, which means easier parking and potentially faster turnarounds for larger fleets. CSMIA’s advantage remains proximity to central Mumbai and established ground transport links.
- Customs/Immigration: CSMIA’s GA terminal already handles customs and immigration for international GA movements. NMIA’s plan includes similar capabilities as part of its phased opening.
- Availability timeline: NMIA began key operational milestones in 2024–25 (including test landings) and is phasing GA capacity into service; industry reports indicate charter and business-jet operations will increasingly use NMIA through late-2025 and beyond. Expect a transition where CSMIA remains accessible for quick visits while NMIA becomes the long-stay GA hub.
Practical takeaways for charter clients
- If you prioritise closest access to South Mumbai, fastest last-mile travel, and established VIP handling — the Mumbai private terminal at CSMIA is still the go-to.
- If your operation needs a hangarage, overnight parking, MRO support or long-term base options, Navi Mumbai airport private jets infrastructure will be increasingly attractive as NMIA’s GA precinct comes online. For business aviation operators looking to base aircraft in the Mumbai region, NMIA business aviation capacity is the long-term play.
Bottom line: Mumbai Vs. NMIA business aviation
2025 is a transitional year: Mumbai’s upgraded GA terminal continues to offer premium, city-closer services today, while NMIA is rolling out a purpose-built GA ecosystem engineered to handle the future scale of private aviation in the Mumbai metro. Choose CSMIA for immediate convenience; plan NMIA as your strategic base for hangars, maintenance and scalable GA operations.
Thinking of chartering or basing a jet in the Mumbai region? BookMyCharters can match your mission to the right airport facilities and handle permits, ground handling and hangar options — whether you need a quick VIP touchdown at the Mumbai private terminal or long-stay support at NMIA business aviation hubs.