India, Sept. 30 -- Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Tuesday issued the aerodrome licence to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), the upcoming second airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area.

The aerodrome licence, which was handed over by director general of civil aviation Faiz Ahmed Kidwai on Tuesday, represents a key step in NMIA's progress towards becoming fully operational, a spokesperson for NMIA said.

The airport is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October.

"With the Aerodrome Licence now in place, NMIA moves closer to its vision of enhancing regional and international connectivity and establishing a modern gateway that will link Navi Mumbai with the rest of the world,''...