India-UAE flights: Airline connects another Indian city to Dubai

India-UAE flights: Airline connects another Indian city to Dubai

Air India Express on Sunday announced a direct flight between Surat and Dubai.

The budget carrier became the first airline to directly connect the two cities on the very day when the new international terminal of Surat Airport was inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi. The inaugural flight landed at Dubai International Airport on Sunday, carrying 171 passengers.

“Surat holds great importance for Air India Express as we expand our network on the back of a new fleet. We are part of the moment when Surat International Airport is growing and unveiling its new terminal. Air India Express is committed to fueling the growth story of Surat, as we connect the City of Diamonds to the City of Gold with this historic flight,” said Aloke Singh, managing director of Air India Express.

The airline will operate four weekly flights on the Surat-Dubai route. Currently, Air India Express is the exclusive airline facilitating international flights from Surat, with a frequency of five weekly flights to Sharjah.

Singh recently told Khaleej Times that the airline is looking to increase capacity to the Gulf region including the UAE, as well as provide better connectivity to Gulf travellers in different Tier 2 and 3 cities across India.

“There will