New routes and increased frequencies aim to strengthen travel, tourism and business ties between India and the UAE
Abu Dhabi is set to expand its direct flight connectivity with India, increasing services to 22 Indian cities by August as airlines respond to growing demand for travel between the two countries.
The expansion will be driven largely by new services from Air India Express, alongside existing operations by Etihad Airways and IndiGo. The move is expected to improve travel options for business travellers, tourists and the large Indian expatriate community living in the United Arab Emirates.
Among the latest additions are direct Air India Express flights connecting Abu Dhabi with cities including Lucknow, Indore, Guwahati and Navi Mumbai. These routes complement the carrier’s ongoing expansion in the Gulf market and are aimed at improving connectivity from tier-two and tier-three Indian cities.
With the expansion, travellers will have direct access between Abu Dhabi and major Indian destinations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, along with several newly added cities. The enhanced network reflects the increasing economic, commercial and people-to-people links between India and the UAE.
India remains one of Abu Dhabi’s largest source markets for tourism and one of its most significant aviation partners. The broader route network is expected to support tourism growth, facilitate family travel and strengthen trade by offering more convenient flight schedules and greater seat capacity.
The expansion also comes as Gulf carriers continue to restore and enhance regional and international operations following earlier disruptions in parts of the Middle East. Airlines have been progressively increasing services across key markets, with India remaining a strategic priority.
Industry observers say the additional connectivity is likely to boost bilateral travel further, providing passengers with more direct options while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as an important aviation hub linking India with the Middle East and beyond.
