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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

NMIA set for commercial take-off on December 25

Long-term expansion plans take shape Mumbai: Even as long-term expansion plans gather momentum, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is preparing to mark a defining milestone with the commencement of commercial operations from December 25, 2025. Sources familiar with the development confirmed that the first flight is scheduled to land at NMIA at around 8.30 am from Bengaluru, operated by IndiGo. The same aircraft will subsequently depart for Delhi, symbolically placing the greenfield...

NMIA set for commercial take-off on December 25

Long-term expansion plans take shape Mumbai: Even as long-term expansion plans gather momentum, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is preparing to mark a defining milestone with the commencement of commercial operations from December 25, 2025. Sources familiar with the development confirmed that the first flight is scheduled to land at NMIA at around 8.30 am from Bengaluru, operated by IndiGo. The same aircraft will subsequently depart for Delhi, symbolically placing the greenfield airport on India’s aviation map and formally integrating it into the country’s busiest air corridors. This operational launch comes at a time when the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the project’s nodal planning authority, has initiated the process to appoint a consultant for conducting a geotechnical feasibility study for a proposed third runway at NMIA. The parallel movement of near-term operational readiness and long-term capacity planning underlines the strategic importance of the airport, not just as a secondary facility to Mumbai, but as a future aviation hub in its own right. The December 25 launch date carries significance beyond symbolism. NMIA has been envisioned for over two decades as a critical solution to the capacity constraints at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), which operates close to saturation. With limited scope for further expansion at Mumbai’s existing airport, NMIA’s entry into operations is expected to ease congestion, rationalise flight schedules and improve overall passenger experience across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Modest Operations Initial operations are expected to be modest, focusing on select domestic routes, with Bengaluru and Delhi being logical starting points given their high passenger volumes and strong business connectivity with Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Aviation experts note that starting with trunk routes allows operators and airport systems to stabilise operations, fine-tune processes and gradually scale up capacity. IndiGo’s choice as the first operator also reflects the airline’s dominant market share and its strategy of early-mover advantage at new airports. While NMIA’s first phase includes two runways, the initiation of a geotechnical feasibility study for a third runway highlights planners’ expectations of robust long-term demand. CIDCO’s move to appoint a consultant at this early stage suggests that authorities are keen to future-proof the airport, learning from the capacity limitations faced by CSMIA. A third runway, if found technically and environmentally feasible, would significantly enhance NMIA’s ability to handle peak-hour traffic, support parallel operations and attract international long-haul flights over time. The feasibility study will play a critical role in determining soil conditions, land stability, construction challenges and environmental sensitivities, particularly given Navi Mumbai’s complex terrain and proximity to mangroves and water bodies. Experts point out that such studies are essential to avoid cost overruns and execution delays, which have historically plagued large infrastructure projects in the region. From an economic perspective, the operationalisation of NMIA is expected to act as a catalyst for growth across Navi Mumbai and adjoining regions. Improved air connectivity is likely to boost commercial real estate, logistics parks, hospitality and tourism, while also strengthening the case for ancillary infrastructure such as metro lines, road corridors and airport-linked business districts. The timing of the airport’s opening also aligns with broader infrastructure upgrades underway in the MMR, including new highways and rail connectivity, which could amplify NMIA’s impact. However, challenges remain. Smooth coordination between airlines, ground handling agencies, security forces and air traffic control will be critical during the initial phase. Any operational hiccups could affect public perception of the new airport, making the first few weeks crucial. Additionally, the transition of flights from CSMIA to NMIA will need careful calibration to ensure passenger convenience and airline viability. As NMIA prepares to welcome its first aircraft on December 25, the simultaneous push towards planning a third runway signals a clear message: the airport is not just opening for today’s needs, but is being positioned to serve the region’s aviation demands for decades to come.

Starlink’s India Entry: Strategic Move or Security Risk?

Updated: Mar 17


Starlink’s India Entry
Elon Musk

In a news-making announcement, London-based Bharti Global and Ahmedabad-based Jio Platforms Ltd confirmed that SpaceX’s Starlink has formal business ties with both major Indian telecom players to enter the vast Indian market—a sector with strategic implications. The move raised questions about broader national security concerns.


Before Starlink, India already had one of the world’s cheapest, densest, and fastest internet networks. Its 5G penetration is unmatched. By 2027, internet users in India are expected to exceed 1 billion, with over 90% of households online. India has developed its own telecom standard, 5Gi, to boost remote connectivity. Under BharatNet, nearly 2.64 lakh Gram Panchayat and non-Panchayat villages are being connected with optical fiber. The Bharat 6G Alliance and the government’s Multiplatform Next-Generation Networks Task Force are prioritising research into space-terrestrial integrated networks.


In the U.S., Starlink cannot sideline telecom giants like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. In February 2025, T-Mobile and Starlink launched a direct-to-device beta for low-coverage areas. In India, Starlink targets the premium segment with pricier services than BSNL, which is still rolling out 4G. So the question isn’t just about business—it’s why these tie-ups matter.


Telecom hardware autonomy is vital for India, a lesson learned during 5G development when Chinese equipment delays caused setbacks. Now, with Starlink, India risks relying on the U.S. for space integration with its domestic networks. The larger question: why aren't India’s space and telecom sectors collaborating more closely? Where is the spirit of Aatmanirbharta?


For 25 years, India and the U.S. have built strong ties. India modified the foundational military agreements—CISMOA, LEMOA, and BECA—to suit its needs. Notably, the India-specific CISMOA, COMCASA, signed in 2018, is relevant here.


Starlink is a monopoly backed by SpaceX, which uniquely combines satellite and rocket launch capabilities—an edge unmatched even by China or Russia. SpaceX’s dominance earns bipartisan support from the White House and Pentagon. India is now seeking collaboration with this monopoly. While COMCASA is military in scope, it also facilitates high-tech transfers. Starlink’s entry fits this second purpose.


Can India match SpaceX’s launch volume? For now, no. ISRO and New Space India Limited can build only 3–4 PSLVs a year unless more rockets are commissioned. The bar is high—SpaceX’s Falcon 9 had 134 launches in 2024 alone, carrying 22–23 Starlink satellites (about 17–18 tonnes) per launch. Even if Jio and Airtel build their own satellites, forming a full constellation requires frequent, high-capacity launches—something only SpaceX currently offers.


Concerns over Starlink’s entry into India are valid. So far, Starlink has been indirectly involved in gray zone warfare in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, partly due to U.S. government actions. Non-state actors and proxies have used Starlink for geopolitical aims. Black market sales of user terminals remain largely unchecked—one was even found with a secessionist group in Manipur.


Adding to the concerns is Elon Musk himself—a figure even Trump struggles to decipher. Musk has openly expressed his intent to support preferred national leaders via his X platform, echoing regime-change tactics once linked to covert U.S. operations—though he aims to do so publicly. Both Democrats and increasingly uneasy Republicans are growing wary of his overreach.


Indian public life values decency, respect, and decorum. No reputable leader or businessperson wants to hear something like, “Be quiet, small man, there is no substitute for Starlink,” as Musk told Poland’s foreign minister. India’s business and political leaders will tread carefully with someone trying to monopolise social media, telecom, and space—knowing monopolies rarely last.


Airtel still holds stakes in Eutelsat OneWeb, while Jio has partnered with Luxembourg-based SES to build a satellite constellation. Few know that BSNL already offers direct-to-device satellite connectivity via U.S.-based Viasat. Indian satellite firms are securing government contracts to develop domestic constellations. The PSLV is being privatised through a consortium of L&T and HAL. ISRO’s new Small Satellite Launch Vehicle is also up for private manufacturing by Alpha Design, Adani Defence, HAL, and Bharat Dynamics. Within a few years, India will have fully commercialised satellite launch and manufacturing.


More importantly, the case for large constellations like Starlink is weakening globally. Astronomers fear interference with observations, while scientists warn of heavy metal pollution from satellite burnouts. Environmental concerns in Earth’s orbit are growing, with France pushing sustainability talks via the Paris Peace Forum. Smaller constellations will emerge once viable technical and business models are available—and that day isn’t far.


The Jio and Airtel partnership with Starlink is likely temporary and will require geopolitical, political, and business resilience to succeed. Even if it falters, both telecom giants have contingencies. As for the Indian government, it plays like a seasoned centurion—respecting a good delivery and punishing a full toss with Rohit Sharma-style ease. This is one such good delivery from the US.


(The author is a Space and Emerging Technology Fellow at the Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology, Observer Research Foundation, Mumbai.)

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