Air India Express becomes the first airline to connect Northeast India directly to West Asia

Air India Express announced the launch of direct flights between Guwahati and Dubai, and Guwahati and Abu Dhabi, becoming the first airline to directly connect Northeast India with West Asia.

Historic First for Northeast India
- Air India Express will launch direct flights from Guwahati to Dubai (starting 4 August 2026) and to Abu Dhabi (starting 7 August 2026).
- This makes it the first airline to connect Northeast India directly with West Asia, a major milestone in regional aviation.

Flight Schedule
- Guwahati → Dubai: Tuesdays, departs 12:25, arrives 16:10.
- Dubai → Guwahati: Tuesdays, departs 17:10, arrives 00:25.
- Guwahati → Abu Dhabi: Fridays, departs 11:30, arrives 15:15.
- Abu Dhabi → Guwahati: Fridays, departs 16:15, arrives 23:30.

Regional Impact
- Guwahati is already one of Air India Express’s largest stations, with 120 weekly flights.
- With these new routes, the airline now operates over 290 weekly flights across Northeast India (from Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, and Imphal).
- The direct UAE connections are expected to boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange, while opening up global opportunities for the region.

Celebrating Culture
- Air India Express continues its ‘Tales of India’ initiative, showcasing Northeast India’s heritage on aircraft tails.
- Designs include Assam’s Gamosa and Jaapi, Nagaland’s Tsüngkotepsü, Manipur’s Moirang Phee, Arunachal’s Idu Mishmi, Meghalaya’s Khneng, and Mizoram’s Puanchei.

This expansion is a strategic leap—not only connecting Northeast India to global hubs but also symbolically carrying its cultural identity abroad.