While connectivity is improving, travellers may still face changes in ticket prices and availability in the coming months
Air travellers between India and the UAE now have more options, as Air India Express has increased its flight services across the region from April 30. The airline has restarted several routes and added extra frequencies to meet rising demand.
The carrier is now operating more than 40 daily flights across West Asia, improving links to key UAE cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. These routes are especially popular with the large Indian expatriate community living in the Emirates.
Flights have resumed from major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Kozhikode, Bengaluru and Lucknow. This wider network is expected to make travel easier for passengers flying between both major urban centres and smaller regional hubs.
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The move comes as a welcome relief for travellers, offering more direct flights and better chances of securing seats, particularly on busy routes between South India and the UAE
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Services to Qatar and Bahrain have also restarted, while flights to Oman and Saudi Arabia continue to operate, signalling a steady recovery in India-Gulf air travel
Air India Express said the expansion aims to restore important travel links that support business, tourism and visits to family and friends, all of which play a major role in regional travel demand.
However, challenges remain for the aviation sector. Rising fuel costs, driven partly by geopolitical tensions in West Asia, are putting pressure on airlines. Industry experts warn that fuel can account for up to 40 per cent of operating expenses, making it harder for airlines to maintain stable fares and schedules.
