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Two Adani Group-operated airports in India have been included in the Prix Versailles World’s Most Beautiful Airports List 2026, highlighting growing international recognition of the country’s aviation infrastructure and design standards. Navi Mumbai International Airport’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati, were selected among seven airports worldwide recognised for architectural excellence, sustainability, cultural identity and passenger experience. The annual Prix Versailles awards, presented at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, celebrate outstanding architectural achievements globally. The recognition places the two Indian airport projects alongside airports in Guangzhou, Frankfurt, Kandal Stueng, Pittsburgh and San Diego. Three facilities from the shortlist will later receive global awards for architecture, interior design or exterior design.
Navi Mumbai International Airport and Terminal 2 at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati, have been named among the seven airports featured in the Prix Versailles World’s Most Beautiful Airports List 2026, recognising architectural and design excellence in aviation infrastructure.
The annual Prix Versailles awards, presented at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, evaluate projects on the basis of architecture, innovation, sustainability, cultural integration and passenger experience. Both airports are operated by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), the airport management arm of the Adani Group.
According to Prix Versailles, the selected airports represent projects that demonstrate distinctive architectural approaches while redefining traditional airport design standards. The recognition comes as India continues to expand its aviation infrastructure through new airport developments and terminal modernisation programmes.
Navi Mumbai International Airport’s Terminal 1 was recognised for its lotus-inspired design and integration of sustainability and technology. The airport, which opened in 2025 and is expected to play a significant role in increasing aviation capacity within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, was cited for overcoming complex engineering challenges, including river diversions, terrain modifications, relocation of high-voltage infrastructure and land reclamation works.
The terminal was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, with the lotus flower serving as the central architectural concept. The design incorporates roof overhangs, geometric entry portals and lotus-inspired structural columns that guide passenger movement through the terminal. Prix Versailles noted that the airport combines futuristic architecture with operational efficiency while incorporating digital art installations and interactive features aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.
Terminal 2 at Guwahati’s Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport was selected for its architecture inspired by the Bamboo Orchid, a symbol associated with the biodiversity and cultural heritage of north-eastern India. Designed by architect Nuru Karim, the terminal incorporates vaulted organic forms, large open spaces and ceiling patterns influenced by the flow of the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries.
The awards body stated that the terminal’s design reflects Assam’s landscapes and indigenous architectural traditions while integrating sustainability features. Bamboo elements, passive daylighting strategies and biophilic design principles have been incorporated throughout the building. Indigenous art, tribal narratives and local craftsmanship have also been embedded into the interiors, creating spaces that reflect the cultural identity of the region.
The inclusion of both airports highlights AAHL’s focus on developing aviation infrastructure that combines operational requirements with design-led passenger environments. Alongside the two Indian airports, the 2026 list includes airports in Guangzhou, Frankfurt, Kandal Stueng, Pittsburgh and San Diego.
Prix Versailles will announce later this year which three projects from the shortlist will receive the organisation’s global awards for architecture, interior design and exterior design. The programme promotes what it describes as intelligent sustainability, where cultural expression and environmental considerations are integrated within contemporary architecture.
Source - PTI
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