Mumbai: The inaugural Air India Express flight, carrying around 100 passengers, departed from Navi Mumbai International Airport at 2.55am IST and landed in Abu Dhabi after a journey of around two-and-a-half hours.
The flight was operated using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. As the aircraft prepared for departure, the pilot in command described the service as a historic flight and a landmark journey.
Air India Express will now operate flights from Navi Mumbai to Abu Dhabi three times a week.
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Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is being developed in multiple phases, began domestic services on December 25, 2025. Since then, the airport has connected 46 domestic destinations, served more than 2.3 million passengers and now handles around 150 air traffic movements every day.
The inaugural international flight also carried the airport’s first global perishable export shipment, adding another important milestone to NMIA’s growing operations.
Air India Express Chairman Nipun Aggarwal said Navi Mumbai is a key pillar of the airline’s dual-airport strategy, complementing its network from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
The airport is being developed by Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd, a special purpose vehicle in which Adani Airport Holdings Ltd holds 74 per cent, while the remaining stake is held by CIDCO, the City and Industrial Development Corporation.
