Air India Express strengthens Gulf network with new Abu Dhabi flights from Delhi and Pune
Twice-daily Nagpur-Bengaluru flights broaden domestic network
ABU DHABI – India’s first international value carrier, Air India Express, has unveiled a bold network expansion that places Abu Dhabi at the heart of its Gulf strategy while deepening its domestic reach.
Beginning on 2nd December 2025, the airline will commence four weekly flights between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi, and three weekly flights between Pune and Abu Dhabi, strengthening its connectivity between India and the UAE.
Meanwhile, from 1st December, it will launch twice-daily flights between Nagpur and Bengaluru, bringing its total network to 60 destinations across India and abroad.
Abu Dhabi flights
The new Abu Dhabi services mark a significant ramp-up of the airline’s Gulf operations. The New Delhi-Abu Dhabi link will operate four times a week while the Pune-Abu Dhabi route will serve three times a week.
These services open fresh international corridors from two major Indian cities, offering passengers direct access to the UAE capital. Online booking is now available for both routes.
Domestic growth
On the domestic front, the Nagpur-Bengaluru route adds to Air India Express’s strong Maharashtra presence. The Nagpur inclusion expands the airline’s footprint in the state, where it already operates over 130 weekly flights from Mumbai and more than 90 from Pune.
The twice-daily service to Bengaluru further underlines Bengaluru’s role as a key operational hub, complementing the carrier’s existing reach of over 530 weekly flights from Bengaluru alone.
‘Xplore More, Xpress More’
In tandem with its route growth, Air India Express has introduced its ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’ brand campaign. The airline has upgraded the interiors of its Boeing 737-8 fleet, featuring improved seating comfort, USB charging ports, enhanced leg-room and ambient Boeing Sky Interior lighting.
Through its ‘Tales of India’ initiative, tail designs across the fleet now showcase more than 50 indigenous art forms from 25 states, including Warli paintings and Himroo and Paithani weaves from Maharashtra.