July 15, 2026 | Press Release
Less than seven months after welcoming its first domestic flight, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has officially entered the international aviation map. The airport commenced scheduled international operations on July 15 with Air India Express launching direct flights to Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in the rapid growth of India’s newest greenfield airport.
The new service, operating three times a week, is the airport’s first international route and comes within 200 days of NMIA beginning domestic operations on December 25, 2025. The launch also completes a milestone for Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL), making every airport in its portfolio internationally connected.
For travellers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the new route offers another direct gateway to the United Arab Emirates, reducing dependence on Mumbai’s existing airport while improving international connectivity from one of India’s fastest-growing urban regions.
The inaugural international service is also a strategic step in Air India Express’ expanding dual-airport strategy for Mumbai, with the airline now operating from both Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Nipun Aggarwal, Chairman, Air India Express, said, “We are delighted to launch international operations from Navi Mumbai with direct flights to Abu Dhabi, creating a convenient new gateway to the UAE for travellers from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Navi Mumbai is a key pillar of our dual-airport strategy, complementing our network from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. We value our partnership with Navi Mumbai International Airport and look forward to strengthening connectivity through this collaboration.”
For AAHL, the launch represents the beginning of NMIA’s next phase of development as it evolves from a domestic airport into an international gateway.
Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), AAHL, said, “The launch of our first scheduled international flight marks the beginning of a new phase in Navi Mumbai International Airport’s journey. We thank all the state and central government agencies and stakeholders for their invaluable support in helping us achieve this milestone.
We also appreciate Air India Express for partnering with us on this important first international route. As we expand our network with more airline partners and destinations, our focus remains on delivering seamless operations and a world-class travel experience while strengthening Navi Mumbai’s position as a preferred gateway for international travel.”
The airport has recorded rapid growth since opening its doors. In under seven months, NMIA has built a domestic network spanning 46 destinations, handled over 2.3 million passengers and now manages around 150 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) every day.
Beyond passenger connectivity, the inaugural international flight also marks the airport’s entry into global cargo operations. The service carried NMIA’s first international shipment of perishable exports, positioning the airport as a new gateway for high-value, time-sensitive cargo and creating additional opportunities for Indian exporters to access overseas markets.
The Abu Dhabi route is expected to be the first of several international destinations planned from Navi Mumbai. As more airlines expand operations from the airport, NMIA is set to play a larger role in enhancing aviation capacity for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region while supporting India’s ambitions to strengthen international connectivity, trade and tourism.
