Air India to Shift Operations to Navi Mumbai Airport in Phased Move
Air India Group and Adani Airports announce a phased shift of flight operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport starting December 2026.
In a major strategic shift for aviation in Maharashtra, the Air India Group and Adani Airports have announced a phased transition of flight operations from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This move is designed to support the redevelopment of Terminal 1 at CSMIA and establish a robust dual-airport system for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The Transition Timeline: When Does it Start?
The migration of services will not happen overnight but will follow a structured timeline to ensure minimal disruption for travelers. The process is set to begin in late 2026:
- December 2026: Air India Express will kick off the transition by operating four daily domestic flights from the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
- January 2027: The airline plans to move its existing services to Oman and introduce services to Kuwait (pending necessary approvals).
- By Northern Summer 2027: The transition of Air India Express services to several key West Asian destinations—including Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, Muscat, and Sharjah—is expected to be fully completed.
Why the Move? The Strategy Behind the Shift
The decision is part of a larger collaborative effort between the airline group and the airport operator. A primary driver for this transition is the long-awaited redevelopment of Terminal 1 at CSMIA. By moving specific operations to NMIA, the group helps free up space and resources for these critical infrastructure upgrades.
Furthermore, this arrangement allows the Air India Group to maintain the historicity of its existing operating slots at CSMIA while simultaneously expanding its footprint in the region. The dual-airport model is expected to enhance connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, offering passengers more choices and reducing the pressure on a single aviation hub.
Infrastructure and Future Growth
Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), the operator of the new facility, has emphasized that the Navi Mumbai International Airport is being built to handle the future of aviation. The airport is being developed with:
- Advanced technological integrations.
- Scalable infrastructure to accommodate growth.
- Multimodal connectivity to ensure a seamless travel experience for passengers.
"Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed with advanced technology, multimodal connectivity and scalable infrastructure to support the region's future aviation growth and deliver a seamless travel experience," the joint release stated.
About the Key Players
The Air India Group, which includes the full-service Air India and the value carrier Air India Express, is a massive operation employing over 30,000 people. With a fleet of over 300 aircraft, the group serves 60 domestic and 51 international destinations across five continents. Air India Express alone operates more than 585 daily flights connecting 48 domestic and 17 international destinations.
Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), a part of Adani Enterprises Limited, stands as India's largest operator of Public Private Partnership airports. Its portfolio includes eight major airports: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and the newly constructed Navi Mumbai International Airport.