Air India Express on Thursday announced the launch of direct flights from Guwahati to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, starting August 4 and August 7 respectively. This marks the first non-stop international connectivity between Northeast India and West Asia, eliminating the need for transit through metro cities like Delhi or Kolkata.
First international operations from Guwahati
This is the airline's first international service from Guwahati, which has become one of its largest stations with nearly 120 weekly flights connecting it to destinations across India. The new routes are expected to benefit tourists, students, businesspersons, and the Indian diaspora in the UAE, while boosting trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties between the Northeast and the Gulf region.
Flight schedules
The Guwahati-Dubai flight will operate every Tuesday, departing Guwahati at 12:25 pm and arriving in Dubai at 4:10 pm local time. The return flight leaves Dubai at 5:10 pm and lands in Guwahati at 12:25 am the next day.
The Guwahati-Abu Dhabi service will operate every Friday, departing Guwahati at 11:30 am and arriving in Abu Dhabi at 3:15 pm local time. The return leg departs Abu Dhabi at 4:15 pm and reaches Guwahati at 11:30 pm.
Bookings open
Bookings for both routes are now open on all major platforms, including the airline's website and mobile app.
Expanding Northeast connectivity
With the addition of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Air India Express will operate over 290 weekly flights from four cities in Northeast India—Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, and Imphal. This significantly strengthens air connectivity in a region that has traditionally relied on connecting flights through Delhi, Kolkata, and other metropolitan hubs for international travel.
Cultural showcase through 'Tales of India'
The airline continues to showcase the Northeast's cultural identity through its 'Tales of India' initiative, featuring traditional motifs and art forms on aircraft tail designs. These include Assam's Gamosa and Jaapi, Nagaland's Tsüngkotepsü, Manipur's Moirang Phee and Saphee Lanphee, Arunachal Pradesh's Idu Mishmi, Meghalaya's Khneng, and Mizoram's Puanchei.
