Navi Mumbai International Airport has begun its international operations with a direct Air India Express service to Abu Dhabi. The route marks the airport’s first scheduled overseas connection and gives travellers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region a new gateway to the UAE.
Historic First Flight
Exemplar service as Air India Express flight IX207, it left Navi Mumbai International Airport early Wednesday morning and landed at Abu Dhabi. The airport’s first international arrival was later that morning, on the flight back to L.A.
This came less than seven months after the recently commissioned airport commenced commercial domestic operations on December 25, 2025. It marks a significant milestone in the gradual construction of Maharashtra’s second major airport.
Abu Dhabi Flight Schedule
Air India Express initially planned to operate the route twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays. From July 29, the airline added a Sunday service, taking the frequency to three flights a week.
| Route | Departure | Arrival | Frequency |
| Navi Mumbai–Abu Dhabi | 2:55 a.m. IST | 4:35 a.m. UAE time | Three times weekly |
| Abu Dhabi–Navi Mumbai | 5:45 a.m. UAE time | 10:20 a.m. IST | Three times weekly |
The flight timings are designed around early-morning airport slots, and travellers should confirm the latest schedule, fares and availability before booking.
Greater Convenience for Mumbai Region
The new route offers passengers in Navi Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and surrounding areas an alternative to travelling to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in central Mumbai.
For some passengers, departing from Navi Mumbai could reduce road travel time and provide a less congested airport experience. The route may be particularly useful for:
- UAE-based Indian workers and their families.
- Tourists travelling to Abu Dhabi and nearby destinations.
- Business travellers visiting the Gulf.
- Students and professionals moving between India and the UAE.
- Passengers from eastern and southern parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
- Travellers seeking direct flights without domestic airport transfers.
The service also strengthens air connectivity between Maharashtra and one of India’s most important international travel markets.
Air India Express Network
Air India Express, also a part of the Tata group and has around 30 weekly flights connecting to Abu Dhabi from Navi Mumbai International Airport. Besides the new international, the airline’s network from the airport has domestic links to destinations like Delhi and Bengaluru.
The greenfield airport in Mangaluru is set to begin international operations with Air India Express. Therefore, the airline’s early initiation can make Navi Mumbai, a strong alternative maritime house for global and home travel traffic.
Boost for Trade and Tourism
Direct air connectivity to Abu Dhabi could benefit businesses, tourism operators and exporters across the Mumbai region. The UAE serves as a major commercial centre and an important gateway to the wider Gulf, Middle East and global markets.
The route may support:
- Trade and investment between Maharashtra and the UAE.
- Business travel between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi.
- Tourism to Abu Dhabi’s cultural and entertainment attractions.
- Meetings, exhibitions and corporate events.
- Family visits and expatriate travel.
- Cargo movement linked to international commerce.
Navi Mumbai Airport is also expected to support cargo and freighter operations, with airport authorities targeting regular freighter activity as the facility expands.
Strengthening Mumbai’s Aviation Capacity
New airport on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, one of India’s busiest aviation hubs. Capacity constraints in the Mumbai region could be addressed with Navi Mumbai International Airport potentially redistributing passenger and cargo traffic between two airports.
Location of airport is strategically significant for eastern Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raigad and industrial belts around the MMR. Expanding the approach may similarly impact access to ports, logistics centres, business districts, and planned urban developments.
More International Routes Expected
The Abu Dhabi route will be among many international routes from Navi Mumbai as we learn. As passenger demand continues to increase airport authorities and airlines are also forming new partnerships and the assessment of further destinations
More international services will ultimately link the airport with additional cities in the Gulf, Southeastern Asia and long-haul markets. But increased expansion will be reliant on airline interest, airport capacity, willingness of potential customers to pay for travel expansion but also slot availability and operating economics.
In addition to IndiGo, other carriers have also shown interest in international operations from Navi Mumbai but these routes and schedules are subject to final approvals and airlines announcements.
A New Gateway for Maharashtra
This addition to the airport development is a significant milestone as it increases international connectivity for Maharashtra fliers especially with frequent flyers traveling from Navi Mumbai–Abu Dhabi route. This also highlightsthe increasing role of secondary airports in India’s aviation network.
However as more and more airlines/destinations are added to the airports roster, Navi Mumbai International Airport could one day be a major alternative gateway of choice for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The Abu Dhabi service will, for now, mark the airport’s very first contribution to the worldwide aviation chain and a basis for its long term international growth.