Air India Express and IndiGo to Shift Flights to Navi Mumbai Airport

Phased transition schedule for international and domestic services

IndiGo plans to commence international operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport in February 2027. Air India Express will progressively transition its services to Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, Muscat, and Sharjah by the IATA Northern Summer 2027 season.

Air India Express plans to launch Kuwait services in January 2027 and will move its existing Oman operations to the new airport, subject to requisite approvals. Final operating dates and service adjustments for these airlines depend on project coordination and necessary approvals.

CSMIA Terminal 1 redevelopment drives airport shift

The relocation of selected airline operations is intended to create the capacity required for the phased redevelopment of CSMIA Terminal 1, which is targeted for completion by 2030. The modernized terminal is expected to increase annual passenger-handling capacity from 15 million to 20 million, a rise of approximately 33 per cent.

The initial phase of redevelopment aims to shift approximately five million passengers to Navi Mumbai International Airport, including 3 million passengers that account for approximately 70 per cent of the traffic targeted for relocation in that phase. Around 9 per cent of CSMIA's annual traffic of 55 million passengers is expected to be temporarily transitioned, with approximately 91 per cent continuing to operate from the existing Mumbai airport.

IndiGo expands international network from Navi Mumbai

IndiGo will progressively transfer 12 daily international departures from CSMIA and expand its network to 12 destinations by July 2027. The airline will transfer its existing international services to Bahrain, Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Kuwait, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Muscat, Dhaka, and Jakarta.

IndiGo will introduce a daily service to Kathmandu, bringing its international network at the new facility to 12 destinations between February and July 2027. This move will free up capacity at CSMIA for IndiGo to introduce additional international services across Asia, Africa, and Europe in 2027, using its expanding Airbus A320, A321, and A321XLR fleet.

IndiGo and Adani Airport Holdings Limited said that any further adjustments required to IndiGo's operations at CSMIA Terminal 1 will be accommodated at Terminal 2.

Air India Group aims to preserve operating slots

Air India Group said its phased move aligns with the wider transition programme for Indian and international airlines. The group aims to preserve the historicity of its existing operating slots at CSMIA. This strategy allows the airline group to continue serving Mumbai efficiently.

Navi Mumbai airport infrastructure and capacity

NMIA's Terminal 1 is designed to handle 20 million passengers annually. Future expansion is planned to raise this capacity to 90 million.

The airport features modern passenger-processing infrastructure, including digital systems, Digi Yatra and automated baggage handling. The airport's cargo facilities, cold-chain infrastructure and proximity to ports and industrial hubs are intended to support its longer-term logistics potential.

Multimodal transport connectivity to NMIA

Three bridges built by the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) are expected to improve connections to the airport. These structures, known as SBR-9, BR-4 and BR-5, span Panvel Creek and the Gadhi River. They provide links between NMIA, Atal Setu, Ulwe Coastal Road, Amra Marg and NH-4B.

Planned multimodal transport links are expected to improve access from urban centres and business districts across the region.

Consultations precede airline relocation

The transition follows nearly 18 months of consultations between the airport operator and airlines. Mumbai airport has given airlines the option to either shift to Navi Mumbai or suspend flights.