Air India Express announced on Sunday that it will launch direct flights between Navi Mumbai International Airport and Abu Dhabi, becoming the first airline to operate international services from Maharashtra's newest airport. The service begins July 15, initially with two weekly flights, increasing to three weekly from July 29.
Route Details and Frequency
The airline will operate flights twice a week starting July 15, with the third weekly service added on Sundays from July 29. Bookings for the new route are already open via the airline's website, mobile app, and other platforms. The move marks a significant milestone for the much-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is expected to ease congestion at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
According to Air India Express, the new service will provide a second international gateway to the UAE for travelers from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and neighboring regions. This reduces dependence on the overcrowded existing airport and offers greater convenience for both business and leisure passengers.
Expanding Footprint at Navi Mumbai
With the addition of the Abu Dhabi route, Air India Express will operate 30 weekly flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport, connecting passengers directly to Abu Dhabi, Delhi, and Bengaluru. The expansion comes amid growing anticipation around the operationalization of the airport, which is poised to emerge as a major aviation hub for western India.
The airline currently operates more than 95 weekly flights from Mumbai, over 100 weekly flights from Pune, and 14 weekly flights from Nagpur. It already runs one of the largest India-West Asia networks, linking multiple Indian cities with destinations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Strategic Importance
The Navi Mumbai-Abu Dhabi corridor is one of the busiest travel routes for Indian passengers. The new service strengthens connectivity between the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and the United Arab Emirates. Air India Express continues to push its brand campaign 'Xpress Wali Baat Hai', featuring actor Pankaj Tripathi, highlighting the airline's focus on affordable travel, hot meals, enhanced passenger comfort, and expanding domestic and international connectivity.
