Air India Express to become first airline to connect northeast India directly to West Asia
Guwahati flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi services to begin from 4th and 7th August 2026 respectively
ABU DHABI/DUBAI – Air India Express has announced the launch of direct flights connecting Guwahati with Dubai and Abu Dhabi, becoming the first airline to establish a direct air link between Northeast India and West Asia.
The new services will begin on 4 August 2026 for the Guwahati-Dubai route and on 7 August 2026 for the Guwahati-Abu Dhabi route, expanding international travel options for passengers in the region.
The new connections mark a major step in strengthening global accessibility for Northeast India, offering direct access to two of the UAE’s leading economic and travel hubs. The routes are expected to support tourism, trade and cultural exchange while creating more convenient travel opportunities between the region and international markets.
Guwahati, widely known as the gateway to Northeast India, is among the largest stations in the Air India Express network, with around 120 weekly flights. The upcoming UAE services will also mark the airline’s first international operations from the city, further expanding its presence in the region.
New routes
Bookings for the new flights are now open through the Air India Express website, mobile app and other major booking platforms. With the addition of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the airline continues to grow its network across Northeast India, where it currently operates more than 290 weekly flights from four stations: Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Guwahati and Imphal.
The airline’s expanding connectivity comes alongside its efforts to highlight the cultural identity of the Northeast through its ‘Tales of India’ initiative. The programme showcases the region’s heritage through distinctive aircraft tail designs featuring traditional art forms and motifs from different states.
The designs include Assam’s iconic Gamosa and Jaapi motifs, along with Tsüngkotepsü from Nagaland, Akyobi, Moirang Phee and Saphee Lanphee from Manipur, Idu Mishmi from Arunachal Pradesh, Khneng from Meghalaya and Puanchei from Mizoram.
Through these visual representations, Air India Express brings the stories, traditions and craftsmanship of Northeast India to travellers across the country and international destinations as the airline continues to expand its network.