AI Express announces flights from Navi Mumbai airport from December 25

Air India Express spearheads commercial operations at the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) starting December 25, 2025, marking a significant expansion for both the airline and India's aviation infrastructure. The airline will commence with daily flights to Bengaluru and five weekly services to Delhi, rapidly escalating to twice-daily operations on these routes from January 1, 2026. This strategic move aims to enhance connectivity and passenger flexibility within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, highlighted the airport's pivotal role in augmenting Mumbai's capacity and propelling India's transport hubs into a rapid growth trajectory. The airline plans to offer seamless onward connections across both the AIX and Air India networks, with additional flights slated for gradual introduction as operations from Navi Mumbai expand. This initiative underscores Air India Express's commitment to strengthening its presence in the region.

Beyond new routes, Air India Express continues to enhance its passenger experience. The airline has recently upgraded its Boeing 737-8 cabins, introducing more legroom, USB charging ports, improved seating, and hot 'Gourmair' meals. These enhancements align with the airline's broader strategy to provide a premium yet accessible travel experience, complementing its existing strong network in Maharashtra, which includes over 130 weekly flights from Mumbai and 90 from Pune, alongside new twice-daily flights from Nagpur to Bengaluru launching December 1, 2025.

Navi Mumbai International Airport itself will initially operate for 12 hours daily, handling 23 scheduled departures and up to 10 aircraft movements per hour. IndiGo's flight 6E460 from Bengaluru is scheduled as the inaugural landing, with IndiGo 6E882 to Hyderabad being the first outbound service. From February 1, 2026, NMIA will transition to round-the-clock operations, scaling up to 34 daily departures to accommodate the burgeoning demand in the MMR. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the airport on October 8, setting the stage for its commercial debut.