IndiGo, the low-cost carrier, is set to launch operations to three more cities in India from Abu Dhabi next month, offering Indian residents in the UAE cheaper options to fly back home. The airline will operate direct flights between Abu Dhabi and the Indian cities of Mangaluru, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirappalli starting from August. The Abu Dhabi to Mangaluru route will have daily flights from August 9, while Tiruchirappalli to Abu Dhabi will operate four times a week, starting from August 11. The direct flights between Coimbatore and Abu Dhabi will operate thrice weekly from August 10.
The airline has listed one-way airfares from Abu Dhabi to Mangaluru and Coimbatore as low as Dh353 and Dh330, respectively, for the upcoming months, with return airfares for UAE travelers as low as Dh843. The UAE-India air corridor is one of the busiest between the two countries, attributed to the 3.7 million Indian nationals living and working in the UAE, making them the largest foreign worker community. Due to high demand for air travel, airfares between the two countries tend to spike significantly during peak seasons.
India-UAE is ranked as the 9th busiest air corridor by seats in July 2024, with 2.192 million seats flying between the two countries. Abu Dhabi Airports’ data for the first quarter of 2024 showed that Mumbai, Kochi, and Delhi were the second, third, and fourth busiest destinations, respectively. IndiGo now operates 89 non-stop flights a week to Abu Dhabi from 13 cities in India, providing an affordable travel experience to its customers. The airline had previously announced direct flights between Bengaluru and Abu Dhabi six times a week starting from August 1 and eliminated fuel charges on all domestic and international flights in January.
With the addition of these new flights, IndiGo aims to cater to the growing demand for travel between the UAE and India, offering more options for Indian residents in the UAE to travel back home at affordable prices. The airline’s expansion to three more Indian cities from Abu Dhabi will provide greater connectivity and convenience for travelers. The competitive airfares listed by IndiGo for these routes are expected to attract a significant number of passengers, further boosting the air traffic between the two countries.
Travel industry executives have been advocating for an increase in seat capacity to accommodate the rising demand for air travel to and from India. The strong air travel demand between the UAE and India, coupled with the significant Indian expat population in the UAE, drives the need for more flight options and affordable fares. IndiGo’s strategic expansion to key Indian cities from Abu Dhabi reflects the airline’s commitment to providing efficient and cost-effective travel solutions for its customers.
In conclusion, IndiGo’s upcoming launch of direct flights between Abu Dhabi and three more cities in India is set to enhance the air connectivity between the two countries, offering Indian residents in the UAE more affordable travel options. The airline’s commitment to providing an affordable travel experience and expanding its flight network to cater to the growing demand for UAE-India travel showcases its dedication to meeting the needs of its customers. With competitive airfares and increased flight frequencies, IndiGo’s new routes are expected to further boost the air traffic and strengthen the economic and cultural ties between the UAE and India.
