India, July 16 -- Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday began scheduled international operations, with Air India Express launching the airport's first overseas route with direct flights to Abu Dhabi.

The inaugural Air India Express flight, IX208 from Abu Dhabi, landed at 10.20am and was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute. The airline will operate the service three times a week.

The international launch comes less than seven months after NMIA opened for domestic operations on December 25, 2025. The airport has since connected 46 domestic destinations, handled over 2.3 million passengers and now records around 150 aircraft movements every day.

Wednesday's flight also carries the airport's first international ...