Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and Terminal 2 of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) in Guwahati have been included in the Prix Versailles World's Most Beautiful Airports List 2026. According to reports from the organisers, both airports operated by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) received international recognition for their architecture, design and passenger experience. The Prix Versailles is a globally distinguished award in architecture and design, presented at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris since 2015, honouring airports and terminals that combine distinctive architecture with a broader, more harmonious vision of how aviation infrastructure should engage with the world. As per ANI, the recognition acknowledges design, sustainability, and passenger-centric planning across the selected airports.
Navi Mumbai International Airport's Terminal 1 was selected for its lotus-inspired architecture, futuristic design language and integration of technology, art and functionality. As reported by AAHL, the terminal's design reflects the cultural identity of the region while incorporating advanced technological features. Meanwhile, Terminal 2 of Guwahati's LGBIA was recognised for a bamboo-based design, reflecting the region's rich biodiversity and cultural identity of the Northeast region. According to ANI, the Guwahati airport is anchored at the vibrant intersection of South & Southeast Asia and serves as a monumental gateway to Northeast India, a region globally celebrated for its breathtaking ecological diversity and vibrant indigenous heritage. The architectural language of the Guwahati terminal's Terminal 2 is guided by the biophilic elegance of the 'Bamboo Orchid', honouring the region's rich biodiversity through a highly functional, sustainable envelope.
The 2026 list includes airports and terminals from several countries, with five other international airports featuring alongside the Navi Mumbai and Guwahati airports. According to the organisers, the selected airports represent contemporary architectural creations that go beyond conventional infrastructure design and contribute to a broader vision of public spaces. The 2026 list includes airports from Guangzhou, China; Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Kandal Stueng, Cambodia; Pittsburgh, United States; and San Diego, United States alongside the Indian airports. As per ANI, the Prix Versailles awards both newly launched airports and terminals for their contemporary creations that embody a synthesis of distinctive architecture, reflecting how airports are moving beyond conventional design to offer a richer and more harmonious vision of the world. Projects included on the shortlist will now be considered for three World Titles, Prix Versailles, Interior and Exterior, which are scheduled to be announced later this year.
AAHL said the recognition reflects its growing stature as a builder of next-generation aviation infrastructure, with a sharp focus on cutting-edge design, sustainability and passenger-centric innovation. As reported by AAHL, the company operates multiple airports across India and has been expanding its aviation portfolio through new projects and terminal upgrades. Terminal 1 of the Navi Mumbai airport was recognised for its distinctive lotus-inspired architecture, futuristic design language and integration of technology, art, and functionality, creating a world-class gateway that reflects India's aspirations as a modern global economy. An AAHL spokesperson emphasised that the recognition validates their focus on developing infrastructures that are at par with the best in architectural excellence with functionality, sustainability, and operational efficiency. The spokesperson stated that they remain committed to delivering world-class experiences that position India among the leading aviation markets of the world, with airports serving as important connectors of people and regions.
