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Last updated: 13 November 2026
Navi Mumbai Airport international flights are real, but the network is far smaller than the headlines suggest. As of 22 October 2026, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has one international route: Air India Express to Abu Dhabi, flying since 15 July 2026. The widely reported plan to move a third of Mumbai’s international flights to NMIA did not happen in October. It has been pushed to the summer schedule that starts in March 2027. Here is what is actually flying, what was promised, and what to check before you book.
Quick answer: NMIA’s only international route is Air India Express to Abu Dhabi (launched 15 July 2026, three flights a week at launch). No other airline flies international from NMIA yet. For every other overseas destination this winter, you still fly from Mumbai’s CSMIA Terminal 2. The bigger shift is now expected from late March 2027.
Table of Contents
Update – 13 November 2026: Airlines Confirm the Move
Since our October update, the airlines have announced a phased move that starts earlier than the March 2027 summer schedule:
- IndiGo will move 12 daily international departures from Mumbai CSMIA to NMIA from February 2027: Bahrain, Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Kuwait, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Muscat, Dhaka and Jakarta, plus a new daily Kathmandu flight.
- Air India Express plans to begin shifting services in December 2026. Its Oman flights, and Kuwait flights if approved, are expected to move in January 2027.
Until then, Air India Express to Abu Dhabi (since 15 July 2026, three times a week) is still the only scheduled international route from NMIA. The move frees up capacity while Terminal 1 at CSMIA is redeveloped. If you’ve already booked, check whether your ticket says NMI (Navi Mumbai) or BOM (Mumbai).
Navi Mumbai Airport International Flights Right Now
| Detail | Status on 22 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| International routes | 1 — Navi Mumbai (NMI) ↔ Abu Dhabi (AUH) |
| Airline | Air India Express |
| Launched | 15 July 2026 |
| Frequency at launch | 3 flights a week |
| Aircraft at launch | Boeing 737 MAX 8 |
| Terminal | Terminal 1 (handles domestic and international) |
| Other international airlines | None yet |
| Next big change | International traffic balancing with CSMIA from the summer 2027 schedule |
Two checks before you book:
- Look at the airport code, not the city name. Navi Mumbai is NMI. Mumbai’s older airport is BOM. Booking sites often list both under “Mumbai”, but they are separate airports.
- Confirm days and timings in the Air India Express app. The winter schedule runs from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027, and airlines often reshuffle slots when a new schedule begins.
How NMIA’s First International Flight Went
NMIA opened for domestic flights on 25 December 2025 and went international less than 200 days later. On 15 July 2026, the first Abu Dhabi departure took off at 2:55 AM with around 100 passengers on a Boeing 737 MAX 8. The arriving flight from Abu Dhabi, IX208, was welcomed with a water-cannon salute.
That first flight also carried NMIA’s first international export shipment of perishables, a reminder that the airport’s international role is as much about cargo as passengers. With this route, every airport run by Adani Airport Holdings now handles international traffic.
By the time it went international, NMIA had already handled more than 2.3 million passengers and connected 46 domestic destinations. The airport is run by a joint venture in which Adani’s airport business holds 74% and CIDCO holds 26%.
Why Abu Dhabi First?
A short Gulf route is the low-risk way for a new international airport to begin. The flight takes roughly three hours, it can be flown with the same narrow-body jets airlines already base at NMIA, and travel between the Mumbai region and the UAE is steady through the year.
For families on the Panvel, Ulwe and Kharghar side with relatives in the UAE, it is the first international option that does not involve crossing the harbour. If you are an NRI planning a trip home, our NRI guide to Navi Mumbai covers flights, property rules and the nodes worth knowing.
Promised vs Reality
Big numbers were announced for NMIA’s international network before the airport opened. Here is how they compare with what is flying today.
| Who | What was announced | Status on 22 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| IndiGo (May 2025) | 14 international departures a day by November 2025, rising to 30 by November 2026 | No international flights from NMIA yet |
| Air India group (September 2025) | Up to 5 daily international flights from NMIA by mid-2026 | One route: Air India Express to Abu Dhabi |
| Airport operator (October 2026) | Ready to handle up to 5 million international passengers a year | One route, three flights a week at launch |
The gap is less surprising than it looks. International flights depend on slots, flying rights and crew bases, and airlines are reluctant to split a city’s international operation across two airports, especially when passengers are connecting between flights.
Why More International Flights Didn’t Move to NMIA in October
You may have read that about 30% of Mumbai’s international flights would move to Navi Mumbai from 1 October 2026. Here is what actually happened.
- Mumbai’s Terminal 1 is being rebuilt. CSMIA’s Terminal 1 stops handling flights from 25 October 2026 and is expected to stay closed until 2029–30. Airlines there can move to Terminal 2, move to NMIA, or pause those flights.
- The plan was to free up Terminal 2. To make room at T2 for domestic flights displaced from T1, the operator proposed taking 265 of T2’s 770 weekly international departure slots from 25 October. That cut would have hit 46 airlines, including 74 weekly IndiGo departures and 33 Air India departures.
- Airlines objected. The winter schedule had already been approved in June, and airlines had planned aircraft and crews and sold tickets. IATA described the move as a forced relocation, and Air France-KLM said splitting its Mumbai operation was not an option.
- It was postponed. On 13 October, Adani Airport Holdings agreed to leave winter slots untouched. Traffic balancing between the two airports will begin with the summer schedule from March 2027, and a joint working group with airlines is drafting the Terminal 1 plan.
Two other things are moving in the background. The Civil Aviation Ministry has been working with airlines on a plan to shift about 5 million international passengers a year to NMIA, and the airport tariff regulator AERA has introduced incentives for new international routes from Navi Mumbai.
What This Means If You Live in Navi Mumbai
- Flying to Abu Dhabi: NMIA is the obvious choice from Panvel, Ulwe, Kharghar and Kamothe, with no harbour crossing. New to the airport side of the city? Start with our Ulwe area guide.
- Flying anywhere else international this winter: you still go to CSMIA Terminal 2. If you drive, compare the Atal Setu with the Sion–Panvel route using our Atal Setu route and toll guide.
- Connecting between NMI and BOM: they are two separate airports. A free hourly shuttle now runs between them, but leave generous time and avoid separate tickets with tight transfers.
- From March 2027: some international flights sold as “Mumbai” may depart from NMI. Always check the code on your ticket and your airline’s advisory before you leave home.
Getting to NMIA for an International Flight
Adani Airports listed these options on 5 October 2026, ahead of the winter schedule:
| Option | What’s available |
|---|---|
| NMMT airport buses | Seven routes (A1–A7) linking Terminal 1 with Kharkopar, Targhar, Belapur, Nerul, Panvel, Khandeshwar and the Airport Project Office |
| Chalo Bus | 21 daily services |
| MSRTC e-Shivai | Connects NMIA with Dadar, Borivali and Pune |
| Free inter-airport shuttle | Hourly, between NMIA and Mumbai’s CSMIA |
| App cabs | Bharat Taxi, Uber Go and Uber Premier |
| Metro | No direct metro to the terminal yet; a metro link to CSMIA is not expected before 2031 |
For drive times and parking, see our Navi Mumbai International Airport guide.
Night flights: the Abu Dhabi service launched with a 2:55 AM departure. Buses are thin at that hour, so pre-book a cab and allow extra time.
Check-in: Air India Express closes international check-in about 75 minutes before departure. For your first international trip from NMIA, aim to reach Terminal 1 about three hours before your flight.
Documents: carry your passport and a valid UAE visa, or confirm you qualify for one on arrival. Entry rules change, so check the UAE’s current requirements for Indian passport holders before you fly.
What’s Next for NMIA International Flights
- This winter (25 October 2026 – 27 March 2027): as of 22 October, no new international route from NMIA had been announced. Plan on Abu Dhabi being the only one until an airline confirms otherwise.
- Summer 2027 (from late March): the first real test. Traffic balancing with CSMIA begins, and this is when IndiGo, Air India and foreign carriers could start appearing at NMI.
- Recognition: NMIA’s Terminal 1, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects around a lotus theme, was named on the Prix Versailles list of the World’s Most Beautiful Airports 2026, announced on 15 June 2026. Three projects from that list receive World Titles at the end of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Navi Mumbai Airport have international flights?
Yes. NMIA started international flights on 15 July 2026. As of 22 October 2026, the only route is Air India Express to Abu Dhabi.
Which airlines fly international from Navi Mumbai Airport?
Only Air India Express, on the Abu Dhabi route. The other airlines at NMIA currently fly domestic routes only.
When will more international flights move from Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai?
Not before the summer schedule that starts in March 2027. The October 2026 shift was postponed after airlines objected, and a joint working group is drafting the plan.
Is Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1 closing?
CSMIA Terminal 1 stops handling flights from 25 October 2026 for redevelopment and is expected to reopen around 2029–30. International flights at Terminal 2 keep their winter slots.
How do I get from Mumbai’s CSMIA to Navi Mumbai Airport?
A free hourly shuttle runs between the two airports. MSRTC e-Shivai buses also connect NMIA with Dadar and Borivali, and app cabs are available.
What is Navi Mumbai Airport’s code?
NMI (ICAO: VANM). Mumbai’s CSMIA is BOM.
Sources (checked 22 October 2026): Adani Airports: NMIA multimodal travel, 5 Oct 2026 · Skift: Mumbai airport lets airlines keep winter slots, 13 Oct 2026 · Business Today: Mumbai Airport Terminal 1 to shut from 25 Oct · Outlook Business: NMIA starts international services · Gulf News: Navi Mumbai airport goes international · Business Today: Prix Versailles 2026 list
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