Air India Express to launch first direct flights connecting Gulf with northeast India
NEW DELHI: Indian budget carrier Air India Express will launch direct flights between northeastern India and the Gulf in August, the airline has said, marking the first route of its kind.
Gulf countries consistently rank among the top 10 destinations for Indians traveling abroad every year, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia topping the list. In 2024, more than 14 million Indian travelers visited the region, official data showed.
Air India Express, a low-cost unit under flag carrier Air India, will launch direct flights between northeast India’s largest metropolis Guwahati and Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Aug. 4 and 7, respectively, as the airline seeks to boost regional connectivity.
“The new routes are expected to support tourism, trade, and cultural exchange, while bringing Northeast India closer to key global markets and opportunities,” the airline said in a statement issued on Thursday.
