There is important news for people traveling to West Asia.
Air India and Air India Express have announced a major increase in flights to several cities in the region starting March 12, 2026.
Together, the two airlines will operate 58 scheduled and special flights.
The decision has been taken due to the rising demand for travel, especially from Indians working in Gulf countries.
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Special Flights Announced for Riyadh
Both airlines have also announced special flights to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Each airline will operate one non-scheduled round-trip flight:
Air India will operate a special flight from Mumbai to Riyadh.
Air India Express will run a special flight from Kozhikode to Riyadh.
This move is expected to provide major convenience for Indian workers living in Gulf countries, who frequently travel between India and Saudi Arabia.
More Flights to Jeddah for Pilgrimage Travelers
Additional flights have also been arranged for Jeddah, another important city in Saudi Arabia.
In total, the two airlines will operate 10 flights to Jeddah:
Air India will run one round-trip flight from Delhi and two from Mumbai.
Air India Express will operate one round-trip flight each from Bengaluru and Kozhikode.
These extra flights will be especially helpful for travelers going for Umrah and other religious pilgrimages.
Regular Services to Muscat Continue
Flights to Muscat, the capital of Oman, will also continue.
Air India Express will operate eight scheduled flights to Muscat, including:
One round-trip flight each from Delhi and Mumbai
Two round-trip flights from Kozhikode
This will ensure regular connectivity between India and Oman.
40 Additional Special Flights to Gulf Countries
Apart from the scheduled services, Air India and Air India Express will operate around 40 additional special flights to destinations in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
However, these flights will operate depending on slot availability and airport conditions in the respective countries.
The airlines said that they have already received necessary approvals from regulatory authorities in India and the destination countries.
The main aim of these extra flights is to handle the growing passenger demand and provide better connectivity for travelers heading to West Asia.