Air India Express will commence direct flights between Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and Abu Dhabi from July 15, becoming the first airline to launch international operations from Maharashtra’s newest airport. The service will initially operate twice weekly before expanding to three weekly flights from July 29, strengthening connectivity between India and the UAE.
Key Highlights
✅ Air India Express to start direct Navi Mumbai-Abu Dhabi flights from July 15, 2026.
✅ First airline to launch international services from Navi Mumbai International Airport.
✅ Flights will initially operate twice weekly and expand to three weekly services from July 29.
✅ New route enhances connectivity between Mumbai Metropolitan Region and the UAE.
New Delhi, June 21: Air India Express has announced the launch of direct international flights connecting Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) with Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in the development of Maharashtra’s newest aviation hub. The airline will become the first carrier to commence international operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport, further strengthening air connectivity between India and the United Arab Emirates.
The new service is scheduled to begin on July 15, 2026, with flights operating initially on Wednesdays and Fridays. Responding to anticipated passenger demand, the airline will increase the frequency to three weekly flights by introducing an additional Sunday service from July 29.
According to the announced schedule, flights will depart Abu Dhabi at 5:45 am and arrive at Navi Mumbai at 10:20 am local time. The return flight will leave Navi Mumbai at 2:55 am and reach Abu Dhabi at 4:35 am local time, offering convenient travel options for both business and leisure passengers.
With the addition of Abu Dhabi services, Air India Express will operate 30 weekly flights from Navi Mumbai, directly connecting the airport with major destinations including Abu Dhabi, Delhi and Bengaluru. The move reflects the airline’s strategy to strengthen its footprint at emerging aviation hubs while expanding international connectivity.
The carrier continues to deepen its presence across Maharashtra. Currently, Air India Express operates more than 95 weekly flights from Mumbai, over 100 weekly flights from Pune, and 14 weekly flights from Nagpur, making the state one of its key operational markets.
The launch of the Navi Mumbai-Abu Dhabi route provides travellers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) with an additional international gateway to the UAE. The enhanced connectivity is expected to benefit business travellers, tourists, expatriates and transit passengers while offering greater convenience and travel flexibility.
Bookings for the new route are now open through the airline’s website, mobile application and authorized travel booking channels. The airline expects strong demand given the significant passenger traffic between India and the Gulf region.
Air India Express currently operates one of the largest India-West Asia networks, connecting numerous Indian cities with destinations across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The addition of Navi Mumbai to its international network further reinforces its position in the rapidly growing Gulf travel market.
The announcement comes as airlines gradually expand operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is expected to play a crucial role in reducing congestion at Mumbai’s existing airport. Aviation industry experts believe the airport will emerge as a major aviation and logistics hub for western India, supporting the region’s long-term economic growth and connectivity requirements.
Conclusion
The launch of Air India Express’s direct Navi Mumbai-Abu Dhabi service marks a major milestone for Navi Mumbai International Airport and India’s aviation sector. As the first international airline operation from NMIA, the route is expected to boost regional connectivity, support business and tourism travel, and accelerate the airport’s emergence as a key aviation hub in western India.
