Air India Group to launch operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport

The Air India group is all set to commence commercial flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which is being developed and operated by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. This move underscores the airline group’s commitment to expanding domestic and international connectivity and aligns with India’s ambition to become the world’s third-largest air passenger market by 2030.

In the initial phase of operations, Air India Express, the group’s low-cost carrier, will operate 20 daily departures, equivalent to 40 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) connecting 15 cities across India. The airline intends to scale operations to 55 daily departures (110 ATMs) by mid-2026, including up to 5 daily international flights.

By Winter 2026, the plan is to further expand to 60 daily departures (120 ATMs), providing seamless connectivity to key domestic and global destinations.

Excited to commence operations from NMIA, Campbell Wilson, CEO &Managing Director of Air India, said: “Mumbai now joins the league of world cities with more than one airport. NMIA’s strategic location will enable us to connect India internally and internationally, for both passengers and cargo. Our expansion supports India’s growth as a global aviation hub and strengthens Air India’s role in linking the West to the East and beyond.”

Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., added, “We are delighted to welcome Air India Group as a valued partner. Their ambitious expansion plans and global vision align perfectly with our goal of making NMIA a benchmark in world-class aviation. This partnership will redefine Mumbai’s connectivity and enhance passenger experience with advanced technology and efficiency.”

Air India Express’ operations at NMIA are expected to significantly improve connectivity to and from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), supporting seamless international transits and facilitating travel across India and abroad.

This development positions Navi Mumbai International Airport as a key component of India’s twin-airport strategy for Mumbai, strengthening regional connectivity and boosting the country’s aviation infrastructure for decades to come.

Navi Mumbai International Airport is being built in five phases, with the launch phase expected to accommodate 20 million passengers per annum (MPPA) and handle 0.5 million metric tons (MMT) of cargo. Upon full completion, NMIA will have the capacity to serve 90 MPPA and handle 3.2 MMT of cargo annually.