Air India Express is set to launch direct flights from Guwahati to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in August, marking the first direct air connectivity between Northeast India and West Asia. The move is expected to strengthen trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties between the region and the Gulf. The airline will commence direct flights between Guwahati and Dubai on August 4, followed by services to Abu Dhabi from August 7.
This will position Guwahati as an emerging international aviation hub and expand overseas travel options for residents of the region. The new routes will provide direct access to two of the United Arab Emirates’ leading commercial and travel centers, catering to business travelers, tourists, and the large Indian diaspora in the Gulf region. Industry observers believe the services could unlock new economic opportunities for Northeast India by facilitating faster movement of people and goods, encouraging tourism flows, and supporting trade links with West Asian markets.
The Guwahati-Dubai service will operate every Tuesday, while the Guwahati-Abu Dhabi route will operate every Friday. Bookings for both routes have opened through the airline’s website, mobile application, and other travel booking platforms. The expansion is part of Air India Express’s efforts to grow its domestic and international network under the Tata Group, targeting stronger connectivity between emerging Indian markets and key overseas destinations.
The airline operates over 500 daily flights connecting 43 domestic and 16 international destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. The new Gulf services are expected to further integrate Northeast India with global travel and business networks, supporting the region’s growing economic ambitions while enhancing international accessibility for travelers. Meanwhile, Air India has also launched its first ‘Easy Connect’ flight from Varanasi under the Government of India’s new hub-and-spoke aviation framework.
The initiative allows passengers to complete check-in and immigration formalities at their originating airport and transit through major hubs without re-checking baggage, reducing travel complexity and transit times. The rollout will be expanded to 11 additional cities over the coming months, linking them to the airline’s international network through its primary hubs.
