# Air India Express launches Surat-Dubai direct flights

2026-09-21T18:54:43+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Air India Express launched a direct flight between Surat and Dubai on Sunday, becoming the first airline to connect the two cities. The inaugural service arrived at Dubai International Airport carrying 171 passengers, coinciding with the inauguration of Surat Airport’s new international terminal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The airline will operate four weekly flights on the route. Air India Express managing director Aloke Singh said the carrier is committed to expanding connectivity from Surat, calling it the “City of Diamonds” linked to the “City of Gold.” The airline is the only one currently operating international flights from Surat, with five weekly flights to Sharjah. Singh added that Air India Express plans to increase capacity to Gulf destinations including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, and to offer better connectivity from Tier-2 and Tier-3 Indian cities.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The Surat-Dubai route fills a gap in Gujarat's direct Gulf connectivity beyond the existing flights to Sharjah. Surat, India's diamond and textile hub, sends a large diaspora to the UAE for trade employment, and until now travellers had to use Ahmedabad or Mumbai airports. The new route's four weekly flights will serve both business travellers and the 3.5 million-strong Indian community in the UAE. Air India Express's expansion into Tier-2 cities mirrors a broader push by Gulf carriers to capture demand beyond metro hubs. The airline's plan to boost capacity from Kannur and to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar signals where the next direct routes are likely. Travel industry watchers will track whether the four weekly Surat-Dubai frequencies increase to a daily service within six months, a common gauge of demand on new Gulf routes.

## Coverage

- khaleejtimes.com <https://www.khaleejtimes.com/travel/india-uae-flights-airline-connects-the-new-indian-city-to-dubai>

Tags: Air India Express, Dubai, Gulf aviation, Narendra Modi, Surat, UAE
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