Direct Flights Launched Between Dubai-Surat by Air India Express

Air India Express has inaugurated a direct flight between Surat and Dubai, becoming the first airline to directly connect the two cities. This announcement coincided with the inauguration of the new international terminal at Surat Airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The inaugural flight, carrying 171 passengers, landed at Dubai International Airport on the same day.

Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, emphasized the significance of Surat as the airline expands its network with a new fleet. The airline is committed to contributing to the growth of Surat and connecting the City of Diamonds to the City of Gold with this historic flight.

Air India Express will operate four weekly flights on the Surat-Dubai route, making it the exclusive airline for international flights from Surat, currently offering five weekly flights to Sharjah.

Singh expressed the airline’s intention to increase capacity to the Gulf region, including the UAE, and improve connectivity for Gulf travelers in various Tier 2 and 3 cities across India. The airline plans to enhance capacity to Saudi Arabia and possibly Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE. Additionally, there may be increased capacity from Kannur, providing better connectivity within different cities across India for travelers from the UAE and the Gulf region.

India-Dubai is a busy air corridor, given the substantial Indian diaspora in the UAE and Dubai’s popularity among Indian tourists. According to Dubai Economy and Tourism figures, India was the top destination for tourists coming to Dubai in the first 10 months of 2023, with over 1.99 million visitors, representing a 39% increase.

Air India Express currently connects various destinations in the UAE, with Dubai (DXB) having 80 weekly flights, followed by Sharjah with 77, and Abu Dhabi with 31. The airline also serves other UAE destinations, including Al Ain with 2 flights and Ras Al Khaimah with 5 weekly flights.