Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday marked a major milestone with the launch of its first scheduled international flight, as Air India Express operated its inaugural service to Abu Dhabi at 2:55 am. The development comes just over six months after the airport began domestic commercial operations, signalling its transition into a full-fledged international gateway.
The Abu Dhabi route will run thrice weekly, establishing a direct air corridor between Navi Mumbai and the UAE. Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL) said the launch underscores the coordinated efforts of government bodies, aviation regulators, airline partners and airport stakeholders in positioning NMIA as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s second international hub.
Notably, the inaugural flight also carried the airport’s first international perishable export shipment, marking NMIA’s entry into the movement of high-value, time-sensitive cargo. According to AAHL, this is expected to enhance global market access for Indian exporters while reinforcing the airport’s expanding cargo capabilities.
“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,” said Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer of AAHL.
NMIA currently handles around 150 air traffic movements daily and connects 46 domestic destinations. The addition of international operations is set to further strengthen its role in addressing the aviation demands of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and western India.
“As we expand our network with more airline partners and destinations, our focus remains on delivering seamless operations while strengthening Navi Mumbai’s position as a preferred gateway for international travel,” Bansal added.
AAHL noted that the Abu Dhabi service is the first of several international routes planned from NMIA. With a growing network of airline partnerships and destinations, the airport is expected to play a larger role in boosting Mumbai’s aviation capacity and supporting India’s rising international connectivity, trade and tourism.
“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,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chairman of Air India Express.
Navi Mumbai International Airport is a joint venture between the Adani Group and the Maharashtra government’s City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO).
The Adani Group currently operates eight airports through AAHL, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati and Mangaluru. With NMIA’s international debut, all eight airports in its portfolio now handle both domestic and international operations.
