Air India to launch direct Guwahati flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Assam government eyes wider Southeast Asia expansion through aviation growth
DUBAI – Air India will launch direct flights from Air India between Guwahati and Dubai as well as Abu Dhabi from August 4, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced.
The move strengthens international connectivity for Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, marking a key expansion of its overseas network.
The announcement follows the lifting of European Union travel advisories for Assam, reflecting improving global confidence in the region’s stability and tourism potential.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi flights
Air India confirmed that the new non-stop services will connect Guwahati with Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with operations scheduled to commence on August 4. The addition of the United Arab Emirates further expands the airport’s international reach, which already includes links to Thailand, Singapore and Bhutan.
According to Himanta Biswa Sarma, the development supports Assam’s ambition to position Guwahati as a strategic aviation hub for Southeast Asia. He also highlighted prospects for future direct connectivity with Vietnam, signalling continued expansion of the state’s international route network.
Opening new avenues to connect Assam to the global community!
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 22, 2026
Just days after EU member states lifted their travel advisory for Assam, I am happy to share that from 4th August, @airindia will commence direct flights from Guwahati to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
With these non-stop… https://t.co/COMfCZvaxt
The announcement comes alongside increased engagement with international stakeholders, including visits by European Union representatives, which contributed to the easing of travel advisories and improved perceptions of Assam as a destination for tourism and investment.
The new routes are expected to significantly strengthen Assam’s aviation profile, placing Guwahati more firmly on the global connectivity map. With direct access to the United Arab Emirates added, the airport now connects four international destinations, supporting wider economic and travel integration.
State authorities anticipate that improved air links will encourage higher tourist arrivals, facilitate smoother business travel and attract new investment opportunities. Himanta Biswa Sarma has described the removal of longstanding European Union travel advisories as a landmark development, helping reshape global perceptions of Assam.
With Australia and Japan previously lifting similar restrictions, the region is increasingly viewed as stable, accessible and investment-ready, reinforcing its role as a growing gateway to Southeast Asia.
In a parallel development, low-cost Air India Express will operate the first international passenger flight from Navi Mumbai International Airport, with a direct service to Abu Dhabi scheduled to begin on July 15. The airline is expected to become the first carrier to launch overseas passenger operations from the new airport, marking a milestone for India’s latest greenfield aviation hub. Bookings for the inaugural service are expected to open soon, according to reports in Indian media.