Air India Express is set to be among the first carriers to launch commercial service from the new Navi Mumbai International Airport when the long-awaited facility opens on December 25, 2025, marking a significant expansion milestone for India’s rapidly growing aviation market.
The airline, which describes itself as the country’s first international value carrier, will begin with two inaugural routes—daily flights to Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport and five weekly services to Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport. Bookings for the new flights have already opened through the carrier’s digital platforms and major travel channels.
The launch positions Air India Express as one of the earliest operators at the new airport, envisioned as a critical reliever to Mumbai’s congested primary hub and a catalyst for renewed aviation growth in the wider metropolitan region.
Strong Demand Expected at New Gateway
In a statement, Managing Director Aloke Singh said the airline sees significant potential in the airport’s opening-day operations.
“We are excited to start flights from the new Navi Mumbai International Airport from the very first day of its opening.
We are happy to work with the airport as it opens up capacity for Mumbai and its catchment area, putting one of India’s largest transport hubs back on a rapid growth trajectory.
We will offer direct connectivity to Bengaluru and New Delhi, and seamless onward connections on both AIX and AI networks. Going forward, we will add more flights in a phased manner as we expand our operations at Navi Mumbai.”
Air India Express will step up its commitment quickly. Beginning January 1, 2026, the carrier plans to double its frequencies, operating two daily flights to both Bengaluru and Delhi. The expanded schedule is expected to attract business travelers, holidaymakers, and passengers transferring onto domestic and international connections across the networks of Air India Express and its full-service sister airline, Air India.
The carrier highlighted that the new Navi Mumbai services will be timed to enable smooth, fast connections across its network—an increasingly important factor as competition intensifies among Indian low-cost and hybrid carriers for connecting traffic.
Maharashtra Expansion Continues
The latest move underscores Air India Express’s ongoing growth strategy in Maharashtra. The airline currently operates more than 130 weekly flights from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and over 90 weekly flights from Pune Airport. On December 1, 2025, it will further extend its presence in the state by launching twice-daily service from Nagpur Airport to Bengaluru.
The additional capacity complements the airline’s aggressive buildup at one of its key domestic hubs, Bengaluru. Air India Express now operates more than 530 weekly flights from the city. Recent expansions from the Bengaluru base include new services to Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Jodhpur, and Udaipur, along with direct international flights to Bangkok, Jeddah, Kuwait, and Riyadh.
Product Upgrades and Brand Initiatives
Alongside its network expansion, Air India Express is investing in customer-facing improvements as it pushes to strengthen its market positioning. The carrier recently introduced its “Xplore More, Xpress More” brand campaign, promoting deeper travel experiences and cultural exploration.
As part of its product refresh, Air India Express unveiled an upgraded cabin on its Boeing 737-8 aircraft fleet. Enhancements include redesigned seats with improved padding, expanded legroom ranging from 29 to 38 inches, wider armrests, in-seat USB charging ports, ovens for hot Gourmair meals, new cabin carpeting, updated interior décor, and Boeing Sky Interior lighting intended to create a warmer, more modern cabin ambience.
The airline also continues its “Tales of India” initiative, which showcases more than 50 indigenous art forms from 25 states across its aircraft exteriors and interiors. Among the highlighted cultural designs are Maharashtra’s traditional Warli art and the region’s celebrated Himroo and Paithani weaves, reinforcing the airline’s branding around Indian heritage and craftsmanship.
Outlook
With the opening of the Navi Mumbai airport poised to redistribute traffic and ease long-standing congestion in the Mumbai region, Air India Express is positioning itself early to capture new demand. The combination of increased frequencies, connectivity to major hubs, fleet upgrades, and cultural branding places the carrier on a growth trajectory aligned with India’s booming air travel sector.
The first flights from the new airport are expected to set the tone for broader expansion in 2026, as airlines and airport operators adjust to the region’s new dual-airport environment.
