The Air India Group has confirmed its operational plans for the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which is being developed by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.
The airport is expected to begin its first phase of commercial services this year.
In the initial stage, Air India Express, the group’s low-cost subsidiary, will operate 20 daily departures, equal to 40 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs), linking Navi Mumbai with more than 15 Indian cities.
By mid-2026, the group intends to expand services to 55 daily departures (110 ATMs), including up to five international flights. A further increase to 60 daily departures (120 ATMs) is targeted for Winter 2026, covering both domestic and international routes.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of 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.
NMIA is being developed in five phases. The opening phase is designed to handle 20 million passengers per year and 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo. When fully built, capacity is projected to rise to 90 million passengers annually and 3.2 million metric tonnes of cargo.
Air India Express’ move into Navi Mumbai is expected to improve connectivity for the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region and provide new options for transfer traffic.
Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer of 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 experience for passengers will play a pivotal role in delivering seamless and superior passenger journeys for decades to come.
