India has entered a new era of aviation with the long-awaited opening of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, a netent casino project that has been in the making for more than a decade. Developed by the Adani Group, this impressive new facility is set to begin commercial operations in December 2025, serving as a crucial second gateway to the bustling metropolis of Mumbai. With a total project cost estimated at over 2 billion U.S. dollars, the airport is designed to handle as many as 90 million passengers annually when it reaches full capacity.

The creation of Navi Mumbai Airport is a response to the immense pressure on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), currently one of India’s busiest and most overcrowded air hubs. Mumbai’s primary airport handles more than 45 million passengers per year, and with rising domestic and international travel demand, a second major airport was not just desirable—it was necessary. The new facility, located across the harbor in the Raigad district, will significantly reduce congestion and improve travel times for millions of travelers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

One of the most ambitious features of Navi Mumbai International Airport is its integrated transport network. The airport is being connected through multiple modes of transport, including express highways, a dedicated metro corridor, and even proposed water taxi services linking it directly to South Mumbai. This multimodal design aims to make passenger transfers faster and more efficient, reflecting the city’s growing need for modern connectivity.

Architecturally, the airport has been designed with a strong cultural identity. The terminal’s structure is inspired by the lotus flower, symbolizing purity and harmony in Indian tradition. The design blends traditional motifs with futuristic glass and steel, setting a new aesthetic benchmark for Indian airports.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the project site, he called the airport a “monument of modern India’s ambition” and a vital part of the country’s goal to achieve developed-nation status by 2047. For Mumbai, this new gateway represents more than just infrastructure—it’s a symbol of progress, global confidence, and India’s unstoppable rise as a hub for international air travel.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa inaugurated the newly constructed Kalaburagi airport on Friday, which will now connect Bengaluru with the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. The 3.25 km runway at Kalaburagi Airport is the second-longest in Karnataka after Bengaluru Airport.

The inauguration marked the commencement of operations at Kalaburagi airport, providing air connectivity to the northeast Karnataka region, including Bengaluru and the rest of India, under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik)-Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).

Arriving on the first flight from Bengaluru by Star airlines, Yediyurappa expressed the significance of the event for the people of Kalaburagi. The airport, constructed under public-private partnership at a cost of Rs 175.5 crore, is expected to spur industrial growth in the region.

The Kalaburagi airport project, initially approved in March 2007, faced delays and changes in management. The State Public Works Department, with technical guidance from RITES India Pvt Ltd, took over the project after the termination of the initial contract in 2014.

Despite efforts to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the airport, Yediyurappa led the inauguration. The flight schedule between Bengaluru and Kalaburagi by Star Air includes three days a week – Monday, Friday, and Sunday. The airport’s operations aim to enhance connectivity and promote economic development in the region.

Several hours following a bomb threat at Bengaluru International Airport on Friday morning, the local police apprehended the individual responsible for the false alarm. In the initial inquiry, it was revealed that the suspect intended to frame his brother-in-law, prompting him to place a hoax call to the police control room using the alias Deepak.

The culprit, identified as Shubhashish Gupta, a former airport employee, was taken into custody at a paying guest accommodation in Wilson Garden. According to the police, Gupta’s motive was to entangle his brother-in-law, currently undergoing a divorce with Gupta’s sister.

Upon receiving the false bomb threat, law enforcement, in collaboration with the CISF and a canine unit, swiftly reached the airport and conducted a thorough search of the entire premises. Subsequently, a complaint was lodged with the Vidhana Soudha police by a sub-inspector from the Command Centre in the office of the Commissioner of Police in Bengaluru. This occurred after authorities confirmed the safety of the airport and declared the bomb threat to be a hoax. The Vidhana Soudha police promptly initiated an investigation, successfully tracing the accused’s mobile number used to make the fraudulent call to the airport.

Deoghar, a sacred city in Jharkhand renowned for housing one of the twelve jyotirlingas, Baba Baidyanatha Dham, is set to enhance its connectivity with the completion of its new airport by the Airports Authority of India.

Encompassing an expansive 650-acre area, the Deoghar airport stands as the second in the state, following Ranchi. Its architectural design draws inspiration from the Baba Baidyanath temple, adorned with vibrant paintings depicting tribal art, handicrafts, and local tourist attractions.

The airport, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, includes six check-in counters and can accommodate up to 200 passengers. Embracing sustainability, the airport incorporates solar energy and a water harvesting system. This development is expected to significantly improve accessibility for residents of Dumka, Gonda, Banka, and Bihar.

Sandeep Kumar Dhingra, the Airport Director of Deogarh, highlighted, “Deoghar Airport is a domestic airport with a runway length of 2,500 meters, capable of accommodating Airbus A-320 & A-321. It features four parking bases for A-320 & A-321 aircraft, six check-in counters, a departure conveyor, and two arrival conveyor belts. Additionally, security measures, including X-rays and CCTVs, have been implemented inside the terminal.”

For those yet to explore Deoghar, the newly established airport opens doors to several compelling attractions:

– Immerse in the spiritual ambiance of the Baba Baidyanath Dham temple, a prominent religious site in Deoghar.

– Embark on trekking adventures, explore the ropeway, and discover wildlife attractions at Trikut Pahar.

– Visit the renowned Nandi temple atop Nandan Pahar, situated on the town’s outskirts.

– Marvel at the architectural beauty of the Naulakha temple, reminiscent of the Ramakrishna Temple in Belur, West Bengal, located 1.65 kilometers from Baba Baidyanath Temple.

– Explore the Tapovan caves and hills, along with the Taponath Mahadeva temple, where Valmiki is said to have engaged in penance beside a giant Shiva lingam.

– Pay homage at Basukinath, situated 43 kilometers from Deoghar in the Dumka district.

On Monday, the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru reported a nearly twofold surge in cargo shipments of roses leading up to Valentine’s Day this year. The airport facilitated the transportation of around 5.15 lakh kg of roses to 25 destinations, both international and domestic, in 2022, compared to 2.7 lakh kg in 2021.

This year, there has been a significant increase in the demand for roses in the domestic market during the Valentine’s season. The airport’s statement noted, “Domestic shipments have witnessed a significant improvement, having increased to 3.15 lakh kg (6.5 million stems) compared to 1.03 lakh kg in 2021, recording over 200 per cent growth. Around 2 lakh kg (7.3 million stems) were exported to international destinations this year compared to last year’s 1.7 lakh kg.”

Bengaluru holds the title of being the largest exporter of roses in India. Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Strategy & Development Officer at the airport, expressed pride in the airport’s role as a facilitator for the local community, growers, and shippers, ensuring the shipment of produce while maintaining freshness. Raghunath highlighted the airport’s cargo infrastructure, powered by technology, which enables swift distribution of perishable cargo, making it the preferred cargo airport in South India. He affirmed the commitment to collaborating with cargo partners to introduce initiatives and facilities meeting evolving demand.

The top domestic destinations for rose shipments include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Chandigarh. Among the top international destinations are Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London, Amsterdam, Kuwait, Auckland, Beirut, Manila, Muscat, and Dubai.

Bengaluru airport, accounting for 31 per cent of India’s total perishable shipments, holds the top position for flower exports in the country, as per data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for the fiscal year 2020-21.