By Mansi Arora

Copyright timesnownews

As Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is all set to be inaugurated soon, the focus has now shifted to the accommodation of travellers, airline staff, and transit passengers. As runways, terminals, and expressways of the airport are all set to be launched, the next big question arises about the hotels near the airport. The airport is located in Ulwe-Panvel, which is a relatively underdeveloped hospitality corridor. New Panvel offers a few 2 or 3-star hotels and guest houses within 12 km. However, these are not the “airport hotels” as it does not lie within 5 km of the terminal. Aerocity planned to host premium hotels Amid the rising concern over the hotels, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has planned an Aerocity complex at Navi Mumbai International Airport. It will spread across 667 acres in Ulwe and Pushpak Nagar. Moreover, the Aerocity will house premium hotels, business parks, convention centres, shopping hubs and entertainment zones, for passengers’ smoother experience. It is likely to be developed in phases, which will start once the airport operations begin. For now, it seems like passengers might have to rely on Navi Mumbai hotels, which will cause longer commutes for people. Moreover, no terminal-based transit hotel has been announced yet. Also Read: Navi Mumbai Airport Acquires 405 Flats in Panvel’s ‘Wadhwa Wise City’ for Staff; When Will They Move In? All about Navi Mumbai International Airport The inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which was scheduled to be held on September 30, has now been postponed, according to the officials familiar with the matter. Spanning an area of 1,160 hectares, the airport has been constructed to decongest the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Andheri. Once operational, the airport will drive connectivity, growth, and opportunities for Maharashtra and beyond. According to the X account of NMIA, the project is 94 per cent completed with final safety checks and passenger flow simulations underway.