Air India Express has stated that it is the first airline to offer a direct connection between Northeast India and West Asia.
Air India Express will launch direct flights between Guwahati and Dubai as well as Abu Dhabi starting August 2026, becoming the first airline to directly connect Northeast India with West Asia.
The Guwahati–Dubai service will begin on August 4, followed by Guwahati–Abu Dhabi flights starting August 7, the airline announced on Thursday. The announcement came days after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Air India would launch direct flights from Guwahati to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The new routes will connect Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati with Dubai and Abu Dhabi. With these services, Guwahati will gain direct international connectivity to four countries—the UAE, Thailand, Singapore, and Bhutan.
Historically, travellers from India’s eastern and northeastern states have depended on connecting flights via major hubs such as Delhi and Kolkata for international travel. However, direct international air links from the region have gradually expanded in recent years.
Air India Express said the new services will mark its first international operations from Guwahati.
The airline currently operates around 120 weekly flights from Guwahati, making it one of its larger stations. The new UAE routes are expected to improve direct travel options for passengers between Northeast India and the Gulf region.
With the addition of Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights, Air India Express said it now operates over 290 weekly flights from four Northeast stations—Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Guwahati, and Imphal.
The airline also highlighted its “Tales of India” initiative, which showcases regional art and cultural motifs on its aircraft livery, including Assam’s Gamosa and Jaapi designs, as well as traditional art forms from other northeastern states.
