Bengaluru, 16 July 2026: Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL), India’s largest private airport operator, has announced the commencement of scheduled international operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), with Air India Express launching direct services between Navi Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from July 15, 2026.
The thrice-weekly service opens NMIA’s international network in less than 200 days after the airport commenced domestic operations on 25 December 2025. It also makes every airport in AAHL’s portfolio internationally connected, reflecting the rapid scale-up of India’s newest greenfield international airport and strengthening connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), home to one of India’s largest concentrations of people, businesses and economic activities.
The new route offers travellers a convenient direct link to the UAE in West Asia and reflects the coordinated efforts of government agencies, aviation regulators, airline partners and airport stakeholders in establishing NMIA as MMR’s second global gateway.
Mr. 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.”
Mr. 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.”
In less than seven months, NMIA has connected 46 domestic destinations, served more than 2.3 million passengers and now handles around 150 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) each day. The addition of international services further strengthens its role in meeting the aviation needs of MMR and western India.
The inaugural international flight also carries NMIA’s first global perishable export shipment, establishing the airport as a new gateway for high-value, time-sensitive cargo. The milestone is expected to improve international market access for Indian exporters while strengthening NMIA’s growing cargo capabilities.
The Abu Dhabi service is the first of several international routes planned from NMIA. As the airport expands its airline partnerships and destination network, it is poised to play an increasingly important role in strengthening Mumbai’s aviation capacity while supporting India’s growing international connectivity, trade and tourism.
About Navi Mumbai International Airport (IATA: NMI, ICAO: VANM)
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), developed and managed by Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL)—a public-private partnership between Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) and City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO)— is poised to become a world-class aviation gateway for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and western India. As the second international airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, NMIA plays a transformative role in decongesting existing aviation capacity while catalysing economic growth and urban development across Navi Mumbai.
Backed by AAHL, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, the flagship of the globally diversified Adani Group, NMIA represents the next frontier in India’s aviation growth story. Designed to handle up to 90 million passengers annually on completion, and 20 million passengers in its initial phase, the airport will also manage 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo through advanced, future-ready infrastructure.
Aligned with AAHL’s hub-and-spoke vision, launched in December 2025, NMIA offers a seamless, digital-first travel experience, with a strong focus on sustainability, efficiency, and passenger-centric design—setting new benchmarks for greenfield airports globally.
About Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL)
Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) is India’s largest operator of Public Private Partnership airports dedicated to transforming the country’s aviation landscape with innovative, sustainable, and customer-centric solutions. Adani Airports is a part of the Adani Group’s flagship company, Adani Enterprises Ltd., that aims to extend the company’s vision as a global integrated leader in infrastructure and transportation. AAHL operates eight airports including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram and the newly constructed Navi Mumbai airport. As part of its broader vision to redefine airport-led urban development in India, AAHL is also developing integrated, hospitality
led Airport City destinations that bring together hospitality, retail, entertainment, commercial, and lifestyle infrastructure around key aviation hubs.
AAHL strives to deliver world-class passenger experiences, enhance connectivity, and foster economic growth to shape the future of air travel and contribute to India’s global standing in the aviation sector.
Website: Navi Mumbai International Airport
About Air India Express
Air India Express is A Tata Enterprise, operating over 500 daily flights that connect 43 domestic and 16 international destinations across South, Southeast and West Asia. The airline has a fleet of over 100 Boeing 737s and Airbus A320 aeroplanes. As India’s most vibrant and inclusive airline, Air India Express embodies the spirit and confidence of India – warm, expressive, and proudly authentic. Encouraging travellers to ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’, the airline transforms flying into an experience that is personal and memorable.
With thoughtfully curated touches – from ‘Gourmair’ hot meals, comfortable seats, and refreshed interiors to exclusive loyalty benefits for over 22 million members, Air India Express blends smart technology with heartfelt Indian hospitality.
