Booked a Gulf Flight From Mumbai? Your Departure Airport Could Change From December

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If you regularly fly from Mumbai to the Gulf, it's time to look closely at your next ticket. Air India Group has announced that it will begin shifting some of its flights from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) in phases, starting this December. The move, announced jointly with Adani Airports on 25 October, marks a major step in Mumbai's shift to a two-airport city.

The transition will begin small. From December 2026, Air India Express will operate four daily domestic flights from Navi Mumbai. In January 2027, it plans to add flights to Kuwait and move its existing Oman services to the new airport, though the Kuwait route still needs the required approvals.

The bigger change will follow over the coming months. Air India Express will gradually move its services to Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, Muscat and Sharjah to Navi Mumbai, with the full shift expected to be completed by the IATA Northern Summer 2027 season, which typically begins in late March. For thousands of travellers who fly between Mumbai and West Asia for work, family or pilgrimage, this means a new departure point within the next few months.

The reason behind the move lies in Mumbai's crowded skies. CSMIA's Terminal 1 is due for a long-awaited redevelopment, and airlines, both Indian and international, are moving some operations to make that possible. According to the airline, the phased approach also helps it keep serving Mumbai efficiently while protecting its existing operating slots at CSMIA, which are valuable at one of India's busiest airports.

For passengers, the change could bring more choice. With flights operating from both airports, travellers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region may be able to pick the one that's closer or more convenient. Adani Airport Holdings welcomed the decision, describing Navi Mumbai airport as being built with advanced technology, multimodal connectivity and room to grow with the region's aviation needs.

What travellers should do

The biggest risk during any airport transition is simple confusion: reaching the wrong airport. If you're booking an Air India Express flight from Mumbai for December or later, check the departure airport on your ticket carefully, not just the city name. If you've already booked, watch for emails or SMS updates from the airline in case your flight moves. Plan your travel time to the airport afresh, especially if you're used to reaching CSMIA, and leave extra margin for the first few trips while you get familiar with the new terminal. Families seeing off or receiving relatives should double-check which airport to go to as well.

The move is part of a larger story. Mumbai has long needed a second airport to handle its growing air traffic, and Navi Mumbai is meant to take on that load. Air India Group's shift is one of the clearest signs yet that the city's two-airport future is arriving, one flight at a time.

*Source: Air India Newsroom*


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