{"id":149944,"date":"2026-07-15T14:34:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T09:04:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=149944"},"modified":"2026-07-15T14:25:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T08:55:03","slug":"navi-mumbai-airport-starts-first-international-flight-to-abu-dhabi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/15\/navi-mumbai-airport-starts-first-international-flight-to-abu-dhabi\/","title":{"rendered":"Navi Mumbai Airport Starts First International Flight with 737 MAX to Safest City in the World"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ULWE-<\/strong> Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI)<\/a> began international operations on Wednesday, with Air India Express (IX) operating the first overseas flight from the airport to Abu Dhabi (AUH). The inaugural Boeing 737 MAX 8 service carried around 100 passengers and opened a new chapter for the recently launched airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flight departed at 2.55 am (IST) and reached Zayed International Airport (AUH) in the United Arab Emirates after about two and a half hours. Air India Express (IX)<\/a> will operate this route between Navi Mumbai (NMI) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) three times a week, adding to its growing network from the Mumbai (BOM) region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Navi
Photo: Navi Mumbai International Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India Express Opens Overseas Flights at NMIA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first international departure marked a significant step for Navi Mumbai International Airport, which had so far handled only domestic traffic. As the aircraft prepared for takeoff, the pilot in command described the service as a historic flight and a landmark journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passenger Shakir Abid, who travelled on the inaugural flight with his wife and daughter, said he felt excited and viewed the journey as a way to create good memories. The family plans to take a connecting flight from Abu Dhabi (AUH)<\/a> to Muscat (MCT), where they will celebrate their daughter Safa Abid’s third birthday later this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inaugural service also carried NMIA’s first global perishable export shipment, signalling the airport’s early entry into international cargo movement alongside passenger operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) welcomed its first international scheduled flight today as Air India Express flight IX208 from Abu Dhabi landed at 10:20 am. The aircraft was accorded a ceremonial water cannon salute, symbolising the airport\u2019s international debut and\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/VPZjp5TZ53<\/a><\/p>— ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>