Modi inaugurates a second international airport for India's financial capital, Mumbai

NEW DELHI (AP) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new international airport in India's financial capital, Mumbai, on Wednesday, marking a step forward in expansion of the country’s fast-growing aviation network.

Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to begin operating in December and will make Mumbai the only metropolitan area in the world's most populous country to have a second international airport. It aims to become a key passenger and cargo hub in Asia and to help ease congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, one of the country’s busiest.

The airport built by the Adani Group for an estimated $2.2 billion is the latest project underscoring India’s push to modernize infrastructure and strengthen air connectivity as its economy grows and air travels surge.

Over the past decade, the government has opened and upgraded dozens of airports to link smaller cities and improve cargo movement, aiming to make air travel a key driver of economic growth. The number of airports in the country has increased to 160 from 74 in 2014, official data show.

“It’s a reflection of a nation that is growing,” Modi said in a speech.

The airport will begin operations with one terminal and four are planned. Journalists covering the inauguration Wednesday did not have access to the facility.

India is the world’s third-largest air transport market in terms of departing passenger traffic, behind the U.S. and China, according to a report by the International Air Transport Association in June. Approximately 174 million passengers traveled from and within India by air in 2024, accounting for around 4.2% of the world total.

The Navi Mumbai airport will have a capacity of up to 20 million passengers annually and up to 90 million over the next few years, the Adani Group said in a statement.

It will be the first airport in India planned to be connected by water taxis in addition to high-speed rail, underground metro trains, roads and highway networks.

Chairman Adani Group, Gautam Adani yawns during the inauguration ceremony of the Navi Mumbai International Airport in Navi Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, right, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, centre, present a replica of a vintage plane to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, during the inauguration ceremony of the Navi Mumbai International Airport in Navi Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, greets Chairman Adani Group, Gautam Adani during the inauguration ceremony of the Navi Mumbai International Airport in Navi Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, greets Chairman Adani Group, Gautam Adani during the inauguration ceremony of the Navi Mumbai International Airport in Navi Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, greets Chairman Adani Group, Gautam Adani during the inauguration ceremony of the Navi Mumbai International Airport in Navi Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves for his NHL-leading fifth shutout of the season, Anthony Duclair scored the game's only goal in the third period on the power play and the New York Islanders edged the Edmonton Oilers 1-0 on Thursday night.

Duclair broke the deadlock with 6:18 remaining in the third period after Calum Ritchie sent a backhand pass to him. Mathew Barzal also assisted on the goal, giving him 500 career points in his 576th game over 10 NHL seasons.

Leon Draisaitl — whose tripping penalty put the Islanders on the power play for their goal — nearly tied it with just over 30 seconds left, but his shot in close hit off the far post to the right of Sorokin.

Connor McDavid, who would've had an assist if Draisaitl's shot went in, had his 20-game points streak end. He joined Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey as the only three players in Oilers franchise history to have a points streak of at least 20 games.

It was the 27th career shutout for Sorokin, extending his franchise record. It was the Islanders' first shutout in Edmonton since Billy Smith also stopped 35 shots in New York's 2-0 victory in Game 1 of the 1983 Stanley Cup Final.

The Islanders, who have won four of six overall, had lost their last six games in Edmonton, dating to 2017. They were 1-12-0 against the Oilers in Edmonton since the 2007-08 season.

Connor Ingram made 17 saves for the Oilers, who have dropped three of their last four.

Islanders: Play at Calgary on Saturday.

Oilers: Play at Vancouver on Saturday night.

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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL

New York Islanders' Matthew Schaefer (48) takes a shot on net against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goalie Connor Ingram (39) makes a save against New York Islanders' Kyle MacLean (32) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Islanders' Anthony Duclair (11) celebrates with his teammates at the bench after a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Islanders' Ilya Sorokin (30) makes a save the against Edmonton Oilers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Islanders' Calum Ritchie (64) checks Edmonton Oilers' Curtis Lazar (20) in front of Islanders' goalie Ilya Sorokin (30) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)