Guwahati, July 16: The Assam government on Wednesday announced that Air India Express will launch direct non-stop flights from Guwahati to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in early August, significantly enhancing international air connectivity from Northeast India.
The announcement came after the airline confirmed the introduction of direct services linking Guwahati with the two major cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), giving travellers from the region their first non-stop access to the Gulf.
According to the flight schedule, the Guwahati-Dubai service will commence on August 4, while the Guwahati-Abu Dhabi route will begin operations on August 7. Both services will operate as non-stop flights, reducing travel time by eliminating the need for transit through metro cities.
The new routes are expected to improve international connectivity for Assam and the wider Northeast, whose passengers have traditionally relied on connecting flights through Delhi, Kolkata or Mumbai for travel to Gulf destinations.
The direct flights are expected to benefit tourists, business travellers, students and members of the Indian diaspora living in the UAE, which remains a key destination for employment, trade and business opportunities for people from the Northeast.
Air India Express has also announced introductory fares for the new services. Tickets for the Guwahati-Dubai route will start at ₹21,188, while fares for the Guwahati-Abu Dhabi service will begin at ₹19,759.
The launch of the services is expected to boost tourism, trade and investment while strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties between Northeast India and the UAE. Improved air connectivity is also likely to facilitate easier movement of passengers and cargo between the two regions.
Passengers planning to travel on the inaugural flights have been advised to book their tickets in advance to avail themselves of the introductory fares.
