Under the pre-clearance model, CBP personnel conduct inspections at designated overseas airports before passengers board US-bound aircraft
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PTI
Airport operator Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) has sought the Centre’s approval to set up a facility for pre-clearance of US immigration and customs formalities for passengers travelling on direct US-bound flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
Speaking to businessline, industry sources said the proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
The proposed facility would enable passengers to undergo US immigration and customs checks before boarding their flights.
Besides, the facility would benefit passengers connecting to onward flights within the US by allowing them to bypass routine immigration and customs queues on arrival.
When contacted, AAHL did not respond to queries from businessline.
Cost and Arrangements
Meanwhile, details of the implementation timeline, infrastructure and final investment requirement were not immediately available.
However, as per sources, the proposed project at Navi Mumbai is estimated to cost over ₹100 crore.
Furthermore, agreement as well as arrangements between the Indian and US authorities would be required to establish the facility.
The US immigration and customs pre-clearance is administered by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Under the pre-clearance model, CBP personnel conduct inspections at designated overseas airports before passengers board US-bound aircraft.
Transit Passengers
At present, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Dublin Airport host US pre-clearance facilities.
According to a senior airline executive, such a facility could make Navi Mumbai airport attractive not only to US-bound passengers originating in India but also to international transit passengers travelling to the US.
The proposal comes as NMIA seeks to expand its international connectivity.
Recently, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) approved the airport operator’s proposal to revise eligibility criteria for tariff incentives available to airlines launching new international passenger routes from NMIA.
Notably, under the framework, airlines launching eligible new international passenger routes of up to 5,000 km receive a 100 per cent concession on landing charges in the first year and 50 per cent in the second year.
Subsequently, the concession would drop to 50 per cent in the second year and 25 per cent in the third year.
For routes exceeding 5,000 km, the concession is 100 per cent in the first year, 50 per cent in the second year and 25 per cent in the third year.
The incentives would reduce airlines’ initial airport costs, while pre-clearance could make travel more convenient for passengers.
Expanding Capacity
Nevertheless, the commercial opportunity for Navi Mumbai, would depend on airlines offering direct US services and connecting schedules that allow passengers from other Indian cities or overseas markets to transfer through the airport.
Separately, NMIA is expected to accommodate airlines shifting operations in view of the proposed redevelopment of Terminal 1 at Mumbai airport.
The airport was developed and is managed by Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) and is a public-private partnership project.
As the second international airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, NMIA is intended to ease pressure on existing aviation capacity.
The airport has an initial annual passenger-handling capacity of 20 million, with plans to expand capacity to 90 million on completion of all phases. Its initial cargo-handling capacity is 0.5 mt annually.
Published on September 20, 2026
