Viraj Ghelani, Suryakumar Yadav and Sunil Chhetri grace people-centric launch of Navi Mumbai International Airport

Actor and content creator Viraj Ghelani, along with Indian cricket star Suryakumar Yadav and football legend Sunil Chhetri, was part of the historic inaugural ceremony of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), an event that redefined how landmark national milestones are celebrated.

The grand opening moved away from glamour-centric traditions and instead spotlighted contribution, service, and collective nation-building. The ceremonial procession featured sporting icons walking alongside everyday heroes, reflecting an India that is ambitious yet firmly rooted in its values. Women-led dhol tasha performances infused energy into the event, while members of the Mitti Cafe team performed the National Anthem in Indian Sign Language, making the ceremony a powerful symbol of inclusivity and respect.

Viraj Ghelani shared glimpses from the milestone day on his Instagram through a carousel post featuring moments of him walking with Suryakumar Yadav, the first aircraft receiving a water cannon salute, and the expansive exterior of the newly inaugurated airport. Expressing his emotions, Viraj wrote that he was still processing the experience, calling the sight of the first flight’s water salute “a beautiful moment.”

He further praised the philosophy behind the celebration, highlighting how the focus remained on unsung heroes, people who work quietly every day and contribute directly to building the nation. According to Viraj, seeing everyone included in the celebration made the moment even more meaningful.

The ceremony concluded with the hoisting of the national flag, officially marking the beginning of NMIA’s journey as a people-first airport. Attendees were reportedly personally welcomed and presented with commemorative hampers.

NMIA’s first commercial arrival, IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru, touched down at 8 am and was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute. On its opening day, the airport handled 48 flights connecting nine domestic cities and catered to over 4,000 passengers. Reports suggest peak traffic during the early morning hours, signalling strong demand from day one.