The Air India Group has unveiled its plans to commence commercial flights from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), operated by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., coinciding with the airport’s first phase of operations.
The move marks a significant step in strengthening domestic and international air connectivity and aligns with India’s vision of becoming the world’s third-largest air passenger market by 2030.
During the initial phase, Air India Express, the group’s value carrier, will operate 20 daily departures (40 Air Traffic Movements – ATMs) to 15 Indian cities. The airline plans to increase operations to 55 daily departures (110 ATMs) by mid-2026, which will include up to five daily international flights. By Winter 2026, the group aims to further scale up to 60 daily departures (120 ATMs), connecting passengers to key domestic and international destinations.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said:
“We look forward to commencing operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport, as Mumbai joins the league of world cities with more than one airport. We are happy to work with Adani Airports to build NMIA not only as a point that connects to the rest of India, but also as one of the country’s key global transit hubs for both – passengers and cargo – given its strategic geographical location. At the Air India group, we are proud to lead the charge in connecting the West to the East and beyond via India, and our expansion at NMIA will support India’s growth as a global aviation hub.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., said:
“We are delighted to welcome Air India Group to Navi Mumbai International Airport as one of our valued airline partners. Their ambitious expansion plans and global vision are perfectly aligned with our aim of making NMIA a benchmark in global aviation. This partnership will redefine Mumbai’s connectivity landscape and strengthen India’s twin-airport strategy. NMIA’s adoption of technology for enhancing efficiency and best-in-class passenger experience will play a pivotal role in delivering seamless and superior journeys for decades to come.”
The operations by Air India Express are expected to boost connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and beyond, facilitating seamless international transit and driving economic growth in the region.
NMIA is being developed in five phases. The launch phase will have the capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually and 0.5 million metric tons of cargo, while the fully completed airport will serve 90 million passengers and manage 3.2 million metric tons of cargo per year.
