Air India to Launch Major Operations from New Navi Mumbai Airport

The Air India group has announced its extensive plans to begin commercial flight operations from the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) as soon as its first phase opens. This move marks a significant partnership with the Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.-operated airport and is set to enhance travel options for passengers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

In the initial stage, Air India’s value carrier, Air India Express, will operate 20 daily departures, connecting Navi Mumbai to over 15 cities across India. This will result in 40 total daily flight movements (departures and arrivals) from the new hub.

The airline has laid out an ambitious growth plan for the following years. By mid-2026, the Air India group aims to increase its operations to 55 daily departures, which will include up to 5 international flights. The expansion will continue into the winter of 2026, with a target of 60 daily departures to key domestic and international destinations.

Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India, expressed his enthusiasm for the new operations. “We look forward to commencing operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport, as Mumbai joins the league of world cities with more than one airport,” he said. Wilson added that the group aims to develop NMIA into a key global transit hub for both passengers and cargo.

This collaboration is also a key part of India’s larger goal to become the world’s third-largest air passenger market by 2030. Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., welcomed the partnership, stating, “Their ambitious expansion plans and global vision are perfectly aligned with our aim of making NMIA a benchmark in global aviation”.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport, whose design is inspired by the lotus flower, is being built in five phases. The first phase is expected to handle 20 million passengers annually. Once fully completed, the airport will have the capacity to serve 90 million passengers per year.