Air India Express to Launch First International Flights from Navi Mumbai to Abu Dhabi

Air India Express is set to make history as the first carrier to launch international flights from the newly constructed Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). Starting July 15, 2026, the budget carrier will connect Navi Mumbai directly with Abu Dhabi, marking a major milestone for the region's aviation landscape. Bookings for this inaugural international service are scheduled to open this Saturday.

Launch Details and Schedule

The launch on July 15, 2026, will see both passenger and cargo services debut. Alongside the new passenger flights, freighters will also scale up operations, reaching up to 18 weekly flights to support cargo transit from the greenfield facility.

The airport operator had originally planned to introduce overseas flights at the start of the summer schedule in late March. However, the launch was rescheduled due to the West Asia conflict.

Navi Mumbai Airport Operations

Navi Mumbai International Airport commenced its domestic commercial flights on December 25, 2025. Currently, the airport handles around 20,000 passengers daily, supporting approximately 150 arrivals and departures.

Developed and operated by the Adani Group, the greenfield airport project is a joint venture where the Maharashtra government's planning agency, CIDCO, holds a 26% stake. The airport was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2025.

What This Means for Travelers

For international passengers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, NMIA offers a convenient alternative to the busy Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). The introduction of low-cost flights to Abu Dhabi by Air India Express is expected to pave the way for other carriers to expand their international networks from the new airport.