UAE-India travel: Airline boosts summer flights by add 24 weekly.

image: REUTERS

Air India Express has unveiled plans to enhance flight frequency between India and the UAE, specifically targeting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), during the anticipated surge in travel between the two countries in the upcoming summer holiday season.

The airline intends to add 24 extra flights each week, catering to Indian expatriates and tourists. In particular, Air India Express will bolster its Dubai route with an additional four flights, raising the weekly total to 84. Abu Dhabi will witness a significant increase, with 14 more flights added, totaling 43 flights per week. Furthermore, the carrier will augment its flight frequency to Ras Al Khaimah by incorporating six additional flights weekly, raising the total to eight.

The summer holidays from June to August see the closure of many schools in the UAE, prompting expatriate families to travel abroad to reunite with their loved ones. Simultaneously, a considerable influx of tourists from India visits the UAE during this period. Travel experts advise UAE residents and frequent flyers to book tickets at least three months in advance to secure favorable rates.

According to a statement issued to Khaleej Times, the airline intends to bolster its presence in international destinations like Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Jeddah, and Sharjah. It also plans to augment domestic and international frequencies from various Indian cities, including Ayodhya, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kannur, Kolkata, Kochi, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, and Varanasi, aiming to offer travelers a more extensive and well-connected travel experience.

As part of its 2024 summer schedule, Air India Express will provide over 360 daily departures. Compared to the previous year, the airline is significantly expanding its network, with a more than 25% increase in domestic and over 20% in international flights. This expansion translates to an additional 55 domestic flights and 19 international flights, resulting in a total of 259 domestic and 109 international departures.

Recently, the airline introduced four fare options for passengers to choose from: Xpress Lite (cabin baggage only fares), Xpress Value (fares inclusive of 15 kg check-in baggage), Xpress Flex (allowing unlimited changes with no change fees), and Xpress Biz (offering Business Class seating with meals and priority services).