New Delhi: Air India Express significantly strengthened its presence in the Middle East on Thursday by reinstating flight operations to Qatar and Bahrain while simultaneously expanding its network across the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. This major ramp-up in connectivity is strategically timed ahead of the busy summer travel season, aiming to facilitate smoother movement for non-resident Indians, labour migrants, and business travellers. The airline’s decision to resume these high-demand international sectors reflects a growing demand for low-cost travel options between various Indian cities and major Gulf hubs.
The updated schedule includes restored links from Kochi and Kozhikode to Doha, and from Kannur and Kozhikode to Bahrain, which are vital routes for the large expatriate community, particularly from Kerala. Beyond these reinstatements, the carrier is broadening its reach into the UAE with flights connecting Dubai to cities like Lucknow and Tiruchirappalli, and Abu Dhabi to major centres including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Sharjah will see increased services from Amritsar, Jaipur, and Varanasi, while hubs like Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain will maintain direct links with the coastal cities of Kerala.
Saudi Arabia and Oman also feature prominently in this expansion, with Jeddah now served from Bengaluru and Hyderabad, and Riyadh and Dammam connected through several southern Indian gateways. Muscat will benefit from direct flights originating in Delhi, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram. By bridging the gap between Indian tier-2 cities and the Gulf’s primary economic zones, Air India Express is reinforcing its role as a critical player in regional aviation, ensuring that cost-effective and reliable transport remains available for the millions of Indians living and working across the Middle East.
