Air India Express adds Middle East frequencies in winter 2026 schedule
The carrier will operate up to 135 daily departures to the region from six Indian hubs.
Air India Express is adding flight frequencies on routes linking Indian cities with the Middle East, with the winter 2026 schedule bringing the carrier's daily departures to the region up to 135. The expansion includes routes to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh. The schedule is effective until 27 March 2027.
Six Indian hubs anchor expanded Air India Express Middle East network#
The carrier is increasing frequencies from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Kozhikode and Hyderabad. The winter schedule links 23 cities in India with 12 destinations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, operating 88 non-stop routes between city pairs. The Middle East accounts for the largest share of the airline's international operations. This winter, the international network will reach 99 destinations with up to 150 daily departures.
UAE and Saudi Arabia routes receive additional capacity#
The frequency increases apply to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha, Muscat, Kuwait City and Al Ain. Air India Express said the schedule is intended to improve connectivity and choice for passengers travelling for work, family and leisure purposes. The Middle East is home to more than four million Indian citizens residing in the UAE. The airline described the region as one of the world's largest overseas Indian communities.
Retrofitted aircraft deployed on select Middle East routes#
The airline is placing retrofitted aircraft on several routes to the Middle East this winter. The expansion forms part of Air India Express's largest winter schedule to date. The carrier is also increasing capacity at its Bengaluru and Delhi hubs and launching new domestic routes alongside the international additions.
Winter 2026 schedule runs through March 2027#
The winter schedule commenced in October 2026 and will remain in effect until 27 March 2027. Air India Express announced the expansion on 6 October 2026. The schedule encompasses both the enlarged Middle East network and additional domestic capacity across India. The airline operates as a budget carrier within the Air India group.
Sources1 source across 1 domain
- khaleejtimes.comKhaleej TimesAir India Express operating up to 135 daily departures to Middle East, schedule runs until 27 March 2027, routes from six Indian hubs to 12 gateways across six countries through 88 city-pair routes, up to 150 daily international departures to 99 destinations worldwide
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