Air India Express Expands West Asia Network With Over 40 Daily Flights

Air India Express, the nation's pioneering low-cost international carrier, has announced the resumption and expansion of its network across West Asia, effective April 30, 2026. The expansion includes the return of services to Qatar and Bahrain, alongside increased frequency to the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

The reinstatement marks a significant development for the airline's regional operations, with flights now operating from a broad range of Indian departure points. These include major metropolitan hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, as well as secondary gateways including Amritsar, Jaipur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kannur, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, and Varanasi.

The airline continues to service key West Asian destinations including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Al Ain, Muscat, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, and Bahrain. The network now encompasses over 40 daily flights to the region.

The route structure reflects Air India Express's commitment to connecting Indian cities of varying sizes with major employment and trade hubs in the Gulf. From the UAE, Dubai receives flights from Kannur, Lucknow, Mangaluru, and Tiruchirappalli, while Abu Dhabi is served from Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, and Mumbai. Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain receive connections from Kerala gateways, with Sharjah linked to Amritsar, Jaipur, Kannur, Kozhikode, and Varanasi.

In Oman, Muscat operates services from Delhi, Kannur, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram. Saudi Arabia's network includes Jeddah flights from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, and Mangaluru, while Riyadh is connected via Kannur and Kochi. Dammam receives flights from Kochi, Kozhikode, and Mangaluru.

The reinstatement to Qatar sees Doha served from Kochi and Kozhikode, while Bahrain is now accessible from Kannur and Kozhikode. The expansion underscores the airline's strategic focus on the West Asian market, which remains crucial for Indian expatriate communities and bilateral trade flows.