Air India Express launches Navi Mumbai-Abu Dhabi flights from July 15
Synopsis
Air India Express has claimed a historic first — becoming the inaugural international carrier at Navi Mumbai International Airport with a direct Abu Dhabi route launching 15 July. Starting at twice weekly and scaling to three flights by 29 July, the move accelerates Navi Mumbai's transformation from a relief airport into a genuine international hub for western India.
Key Takeaways
Air India Express will launch direct Navi Mumbai–Abu Dhabi flights from 15 July 2025 , the first international service from the airport.
Initial frequency is twice weekly (Wednesdays and Fridays), rising to three times weekly with a Sunday addition from 29 July .
Outbound from Abu Dhabi departs at 5:45 am ; return from Navi Mumbai departs at 2:55 am .
Air India Express will operate 30 weekly flights from Navi Mumbai across Abu Dhabi, Bengaluru, and Delhi .
The carrier runs more than 95 weekly flights from Mumbai, over 100 from Pune, and 14 from Nagpur.
Bookings are open on the airline's website, app, and other channels.
Air India Express on Sunday, 21 June announced direct flights between Navi Mumbai International Airport and Abu Dhabi, making it the first airline to launch international operations from Maharashtra's newest aviation facility. Services commence on 15 July 2025, initially running twice weekly before scaling up within a fortnight.
Flight Schedule and Timings
The route will initially operate on Wednesdays and Fridays, with an outbound departure from Abu Dhabi at 5:45 am arriving in Navi Mumbai at 10:20 am IST. The return leg departs Navi Mumbai at 2:55 am, touching down in Abu Dhabi at 4:35 am local time.
From 29 July, a third weekly frequency — on Sundays — will be added, bringing the total to three flights per week on the route. Bookings are already open via the airline's website, mobile application, and other booking channels.
Navi Mumbai's First International Connection
The launch marks a milestone for Navi Mumbai International Airport, which has been positioned as a relief valve for the heavily congested Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. With this service, Air India Express will operate 30 weekly flights from Navi Mumbai, connecting it with Abu Dhabi, Bengaluru, and Delhi.
Notably, this is the first international route inaugurated from the airport, signalling the beginning of its emergence as a major aviation hub in western India. Airlines are expected to progressively ramp up operations as the facility matures.
Air India Express's Maharashtra Footprint
The carrier's presence across Maharashtra is already substantial. It currently operates more than 95 weekly flights from Mumbai, over 100 weekly flights from Pune, and 14 weekly flights from Nagpur. The Navi Mumbai additions further consolidate its dominance in the state.
Air India Express operates one of the largest India–West Asia networks, linking Indian cities with destinations across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The new Abu Dhabi service extends that reach to a growing catchment area within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
What This Means for Travellers
Passengers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region now have an additional international gateway, reducing dependence on the existing Mumbai airport and offering greater scheduling flexibility for UAE-bound travel. The airline described the launch as enhancing 'connectivity and travel convenience' for the region.
As more carriers announce operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport, the route network is expected to diversify further in the coming months.
Point of View
A single twice-weekly Abu Dhabi service is a modest start, but the optics of 'first international flight' matter enormously for attracting subsequent airline interest and passenger confidence. The harder question is whether Navi Mumbai can genuinely decongest the existing Mumbai airport, or whether it becomes a secondary facility that travellers avoid for convenience — a pattern seen with several second-city airports globally. The ramp-up to three frequencies by late July is a positive signal, but sustained growth will depend on ground connectivity to the city, which remains a work in progress.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Air India Express start flights from Navi Mumbai to Abu Dhabi?
Air India Express begins direct flights between Navi Mumbai International Airport and Abu Dhabi on 15 July 2025. The service initially operates twice weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays, expanding to three weekly flights with a Sunday addition from 29 July.
What are the flight timings for the Navi Mumbai-Abu Dhabi route?
The Abu Dhabi-to-Navi Mumbai flight departs at 5:45 am and arrives at 10:20 am IST. The return service leaves Navi Mumbai at 2:55 am and reaches Abu Dhabi at 4:35 am local time.
Is Air India Express the first airline to fly international from Navi Mumbai Airport?
Yes, Air India Express is the first airline to commence international operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport, according to the airline's announcement on 21 June 2025.
How many weekly flights does Air India Express operate from Maharashtra?
Air India Express operates more than 95 weekly flights from Mumbai, over 100 from Pune, and 14 from Nagpur. With the Navi Mumbai launch, it will run 30 weekly flights from that airport alone.
How can passengers book the Navi Mumbai-Abu Dhabi flight?
Bookings for the Navi Mumbai–Abu Dhabi route are open through Air India Express's official website, mobile application, and other authorised booking channels.
