Brief
IndiGo and Air India Express to move UAE‑Mumbai services to Navi Mumbai Airport by 2027
The airlines will shift several international and domestic services from Mumbai's main airport to the under‑construction Navi Mumbai hub, with moves staged between December 2026 and July 2027.
By Felo News Desk · Published
IndiGo and Air India Express announced that selected flights from the United Arab Emirates to Mumbai will be transferred from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the newly built Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The shift will begin in December 2026 for Air India Express domestic services and continue with a phased relocation of West‑Asia routes in early 2027, while IndiGo will start international operations from NMIA in February 2027.
What happened
Air India Express plans to launch four daily domestic flights from NMIA in December 2026, followed by a gradual move of its West‑Asia services – Sharjah, Muscat, Doha, Dammam and Riyadh – starting January 2027. IndiGo will transfer 12 daily international departures to NMIA in February 2027 and expand its network to 12 destinations, adding a daily Kathmandu service, with the full roster expected by July 2027.
What the reports add
The Gulf News report lists the specific routes slated for relocation. IndiGo will move flights to Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Bahrain, Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Kuwait, Muscat and Dhaka, plus Jakarta and Kathmandu. Air India Express will shift services to Sharjah, Muscat, Doha, Dammam and Riyadh, with a January 2027 timeline for planned Kuwait services, pending approvals. Final operating dates will align with the IATA Northern Summer 2027 season.
What was said
The article notes that Mumbai airport operator MIAL has asked airlines to relocate some international slots while Terminal 1 is redeveloped. It adds that Adani Airports, the NMIA operator, says historical slots and additional capacity will be restored once the renovated terminal reopens, although airlines have raised concerns about reduced international capacity.
How it came about
The relocation is part of a broader plan to redevelop Terminal 1 at CSMIA. MIAL’s request aims to free up slots for the upgraded terminal, while NMIA seeks to attract more international traffic. Earlier Felo News coverage highlighted disruptions to Indian carriers’ Saudi routes in October 2026, underscoring the region’s volatile aviation environment.
Key facts
- IndiGo will begin international operations from Navi Mumbai Airport in February 2027, moving 12 daily departures. (gulfnews.com)
- Air India Express will start four daily domestic flights from NMIA in December 2026 and shift West‑Asia services from January 2027. (gulfnews.com)
- The relocation supports the redevelopment of Terminal 1 at Mumbai's main airport. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “IndiGo and Air India Express to Shift UAE-Mumbai Flights to Navi Mumbai Airport by 2027”
