Air India Express to Start Abu Dhabi Flights from Navi Mumbai on July 15

Air India Express is set to begin international passenger operations from the newly developed Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), with its inaugural flight to Abu Dhabi scheduled for July 15. According to a source, bookings for the first international service are likely to open on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for both the airline and the airport as they expand their global connectivity.

The planned launch follows an announcement made on June 17 by Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL) Chief Executive Officer BVJK Sharma, who said the airport was targeting July 15 for the commencement of international passenger and cargo services. The move is expected to provide travellers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region with an additional international gateway while reducing congestion at the city's existing airport.

Air India Express, the low-cost arm of the Air India Group, has been steadily expanding its domestic and overseas network under the Tata Group's aviation strategy. The Abu Dhabi route is expected to serve business travellers, tourists and the large Indian expatriate community in the UAE, strengthening air links between Maharashtra and the Gulf region.

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The Navi Mumbai International Airport is a greenfield infrastructure project developed by the Adani Group, with the Maharashtra government's urban planning and infrastructure agency Cidco holding a 26 per cent stake. The airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October last year and is being developed in phases to meet the region's rapidly growing aviation demand.

The launch of international services is expected to be a key milestone in the airport's operational rollout, with both passenger and freight operations set to begin from mid-July. While Air India Express is yet to officially announce the flight schedule and ticket details, the inaugural Abu Dhabi service is expected to enhance regional connectivity and support the airport's emergence as a major aviation hub in western India.

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