Abu Dhabi has welcomed the first group of visitors arriving on Air India Express’s new international service from Navi Mumbai, marking a major step in strengthening travel links between the United Arab Emirates and India.
The new route is the first international service to operate from Navi Mumbai International Airport. Officials said the launch reflects the growing partnership between the two countries and supports increasing demand for travel, tourism, and business connections.
To celebrate the occasion, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi hosted a welcome dinner at Zayed National Museum for a visiting media delegation. Representatives from Air India Express, Abu Dhabi Airports, and tourism partners also attended the event.
Among the guests were India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Dr. Deepak Mittal, Air India Express Chairman Nipun Aggarwal, Abu Dhabi Airports Chief Commercial Officer Carsten Nørland, and Haitham Al Khamis, Acting Director of Tourism Products Development at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
During their stay, the visiting delegation will explore many of Abu Dhabi’s leading attractions. The itinerary includes visits to Saadiyat Cultural District, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, the Al Ain Region, Qasr Al Watan, and Yas Island’s entertainment destinations.
Tourism officials said the program is designed to showcase the wide range of cultural, heritage, family, and leisure experiences available across the emirate.
Haitham Al Khamis said the launch of the new route highlights the strong relationship between India and the UAE while reflecting confidence in Abu Dhabi’s long-term tourism growth. He added that the emirate continues to expand its visitor experience through new museums, major attractions, world-class events, and ongoing investment in culture, entertainment, and hospitality.
India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Dr. Deepak Mittal, said stronger air connectivity supports the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. He noted that the new services will improve tourism, business, investment, and cultural exchanges while making travel easier for millions of passengers.
Air India Express Chairman Nipun Aggarwal said the airline remains committed to expanding direct connections between Indian cities and Abu Dhabi. He explained that the new routes create additional travel opportunities while supporting tourism, trade, and closer economic cooperation between India and the UAE.
Carsten Nørland of Abu Dhabi Airports said India continues to be one of the airport’s most important international markets. He said the launch of the Navi Mumbai service demonstrates growing passenger demand and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a major gateway connecting India with the UAE and other international destinations.
Air India Express currently operates two weekly flights between Navi Mumbai and Abu Dhabi. The airline plans to increase the service to three weekly flights beginning on July 29.
The airline also operates four weekly flights from Indore and three weekly flights from Lucknow to Abu Dhabi. An additional Abu Dhabi–Guwahati route is also planned.
With these new services, Air India Express now connects Abu Dhabi with 14 Indian cities through 75 weekly nonstop flights, making the UAE capital one of the airline’s largest international markets.
The expanded connectivity comes as Abu Dhabi continues to invest heavily in tourism and aviation infrastructure.
Officials said the emirate welcomed a record 26.6 million visitors in 2025. Hotel revenues also increased by 19.5 percent compared with the previous year, while Abu Dhabi’s cultural institutions recorded 8.6 million visits, reflecting growing international interest.
Abu Dhabi has recently expanded its tourism attractions with the opening of Zayed National Museum and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. Additional projects, including Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Sphere Abu Dhabi, Disney Resort Abu Dhabi, and a new Harry Potter-themed experience at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, are expected to further strengthen the emirate’s position as a leading global destination for culture, entertainment, and family tourism.
