en.Wedoany.com Reported - Navi Mumbai International Airport has launched its first international route to Abu Dhabi, offering travelers a new direct flight option to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Air India Express began operating the route on July 15, with three weekly flights, marking the official start of regular international services at India's newest greenfield airport.

This international expansion comes less than 200 days after the airport launched domestic services on December 25, 2025, providing travelers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region with an alternative to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The Abu Dhabi route strengthens travel links between one of India's largest cities and commercial hubs and the UAE, while supporting Navi Mumbai Airport's positioning as the second international gateway for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The airport has served over 2.3 million passengers in less than seven months of operations, established a network connecting 46 domestic destinations, and currently handles approximately 150 aircraft movements per day.

The Abu Dhabi route is the first of several planned international routes for the airport, with more airlines and destinations expected to join its network as operations expand. The inaugural international flight also carried the airport's first export of perishable goods, opening a new channel for Indian exporters to access global markets for time-sensitive products. International passenger and cargo services are expected to add additional aviation capacity for Mumbai and western India, while improving connections with overseas tourism and trade markets.