On December 17, Air India Express is set to become the first airline to operate from the new international terminal at Surat International Airport, introducing a flight connecting Surat to Dubai. This marks a significant milestone for Surat, and the airline is currently the sole operator of international flights from the city.
– Surat to Dubai (IX 173) – Departure: 11:40, Arrival: 13:30
– Dubai to Surat (IX 174) – Departure: 14:30, Arrival: 19:00
Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, expressed excitement about this achievement, stating, “Our Surat to Dubai flight underscores our commitment to enhancing connectivity from emerging cities which are the powerhouses of new India.”
Expanding Connectivity Across the Globe
Air India Express is reinforcing its commitment to connectivity with a focus on emerging cities. The airline’s presence in Dammam, Dubai, and Surat reflects its dedication to providing convenient and affordable travel options for passengers. With a robust network of direct flights, Air India Express continues to strengthen its position as a key player in the international aviation sector.
The airline is set to enhance its presence in the Saudi Arabian market with the launch of daily direct flights connecting Mumbai–Dammam and Hyderabad–Dammam. Commencing operations on January 19, 2024, the airline offers competitive fares starting at INR 15,312 (BOM-DMM), INR 16,613 (HYD-DMM), SAR 355 (DMM-BOM), and SAR 505 (DMM-HYD). The flight schedule includes:
– Mumbai to Dammam (IX 0281) – Departure: 2:55, Arrival: 4:50
– Dammam to Mumbai (IX 0282) – Departure: 17:20, Arrival: 23:30
– Hyderabad to Dammam (IX 0929) – Departure: 13:40, Arrival: 16:20
– Dammam to Hyderabad (IX 0930) – Departure: 5:50, Arrival: 12:35
Tara Naidu, VP, International Business at Air India Express, highlighted the strategic importance of Saudi Arabia and mentioned, “The new routes will bolster our network, enabling us to provide convenient one-stop itineraries from Dammam to destinations such as Bhubaneswar, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Gwalior, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ranchi, and Visakhapatnam.”
The first flight from Delhi will arrive in Ayodhya on December 30, 2023. Thereafter, direct commercial flights between Delhi and Ayodhya will commence from January 06, 2024, followed by tri-weekly flights between Ahmedabad and Ayodhya from January 11, 2024. With the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya scheduled for January 2024, the city is expected to witness a significant surge in travel activity.
