<h1>DGCA grants aerodrome licence to Navi Mumbai International Airport, enabling phased opening with 20 million passengers per year capacity</h1> Aviation regulator DGCA has granted an aerodrome licence to Navi Mumbai International Airport after it met required safety and regulatory standards, allowing the facility to move toward commencing operations. The airport operator said the licence is an essential prerequisite for opening; construction is being carried out in five phases by a private conglomerate in partnership with a state town development authority. The launch phase is planned to handle 20 million passengers per annum and 0.5 million metric tons of cargo. The airport is slated for inauguration by the prime minister in early October.