Navi Mumbai Airport launches first scheduled international flight with direct Abu Dhabi service
Mumbai. Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has commenced scheduled international operations, with Air India Express launching direct flights between Navi Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 15.
The thrice-weekly service marks NMIA’s first scheduled international route and comes less than 200 days after the airport began domestic operations on December 25, 2025. With the launch, every airport in Adani Airport Holdings Limited’s (AAHL) portfolio now offers international connectivity.
The new service provides travellers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) with a direct link to the UAE and strengthens NMIA’s position as the region’s second international gateway.
Commenting on the milestone, Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., 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.”
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.”
In less than seven months of operations, NMIA has connected 46 domestic destinations, handled over 2.3 million passengers, and currently manages around 150 air traffic movements (ATMs) daily.
The inaugural international flight also carried the airport’s first global perishable export shipment, marking the beginning of international cargo operations and strengthening NMIA’s role in supporting India’s export sector.
The Abu Dhabi route is the first of several planned international services as the airport continues to expand its airline partnerships and global destination network.
