Archive · 19 Jul 2026
Abu Dhabi Expands Flights to 22 Indian Cities
Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport is going to start flying directly to 22 cities in India starting in August.
Right now, it flies to 17 cities in India.
A big boss at the airport said that lots of people from India visit Abu Dhabi, and the number is growing every year.
The airport wants to add more flights but needs special permission to do so.
Other airlines like Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air already fly to Abu Dhabi.
The airport also said that about 7 million people from India visit Abu Dhabi every year, and most of them stay there instead of just passing through.
Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport will expand direct flights to 22 Indian cities from August.
Currently, the airport has 17 direct connections to Indian cities.
India is a strong tourism market for Abu Dhabi, with passenger numbers growing over 20% annually.
Abu Dhabi is running out of traffic rights, limiting the ability to increase flights to India.
Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air operate flights to Abu Dhabi.
- Who
- Abu Dhabi Airports and Indian airlines
- What
- Expansion of direct flights to 22 Indian cities
- When
- Starting from August
- Where
- Abu Dhabi and various Indian cities
- Why
- To meet the growing demand for travel between India and Abu Dhabi
Tourism Growth
Traffic Rights Limitations
Tourism Growth
Tourism Growth
India is a strong tourism market for Abu Dhabi, with passenger numbers growing over 20% annually.
Traffic Rights Limitations
Abu Dhabi is running out of traffic rights, limiting the ability to increase flights to India.
- Current Direct Connections
- 17 Indian cities
- Expanded Direct Connections
- 22 Indian cities
- Annual Passenger Growth
- Over 20%
- Total Indian Passengers
- 7 million
- Point-to-Point Passengers
- 5 million
- Network Passengers
- 2 million
- Airlines Operating Flights
- Air India Express, IndiGo, Akasa Air
- Airports Operated by Abu Dhabi Airports
- Zayed, Al Ain, Al Bateen, Delma, Sir Bani Yas Island