Navi Mumbai airport begins international operations with Abu Dhabi flight
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Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Tuesday announced the commencement of its scheduled international operations, with Air India Express launching direct flights to Abu Dhabi from July 15, marking a milestone for India's newest greenfield airport and strengthening aviation capacity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The thrice-weekly service makes Abu Dhabi the first international destination from NMIA, less than 200 days after the airport began domestic operations on December 25, 2025. With the launch, every airport operated by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL) is now connected to international destinations.
Second international gateway for Mumbai
The new service is expected to improve connectivity between the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and the United Arab Emirates, while reinforcing NMIA's role as the region's second international gateway alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
"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," said Arun Bansal, chief executive officer of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.
Air India Express said the route also supports its dual-airport strategy in Mumbai.
"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," said Nipun Aggarwal, chairman, Air India Express.
Airport expands network within seven months
NMIA said it has connected 46 domestic destinations, handled more than 2.3 million passengers, and currently manages around 150 air traffic movements (ATMs) every day since commencing domestic operations nearly seven months ago. The addition of international flights is expected to further strengthen the airport's role in meeting the growing aviation demand of Mumbai and western India.
The airport also marked another milestone with the departure of its first international perishable export shipment on the inaugural Abu Dhabi flight. According to the company, the development establishes NMIA as a new gateway for high-value, time-sensitive cargo and is expected to improve overseas market access for Indian exporters while strengthening the airport's cargo capabilities.
More international routes planned
Adani Airport Holdings said the Abu Dhabi service is the first of several international routes planned from Navi Mumbai as the airport expands its airline partnerships and destination network. The company said the airport is expected to play an increasingly important role in boosting Mumbai's aviation capacity while supporting India's international connectivity, trade and tourism.
Developed under a public-private partnership between Adani Airport Holdings and CIDCO, Navi Mumbai International Airport is designed to handle 20 million passengers annually in its initial phase, with an ultimate capacity of 90 million passengers and 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo after full expansion.