Key Takeaways
- The route restoration improves connectivity across key international business corridors
- A phased frequency increase supports a demand-aligned network expansion strategy
- The 780 weekly flights reflect the scale of regional aviation operations
Air India Express has restored connectivity across its West Asia network with the resumption of services to Salalah in Oman and Kuwait. The move marks a return to full operations across key international routes connecting Indian cities with the region.
Route Resumption Strengthens Regional Connectivity Network
Flights on the Kozhikode to Salalah route will resume from 2 July with a frequency of 2 flights per week. Services between Kozhikode and Kuwait will restart from 3 July with 1 weekly flight, increasing to 3 weekly flights from 5 July.
The airline will also begin Bengaluru to Kuwait operations from 4 July with 1 weekly flight. This will expand to 3 weekly flights from 7 July, indicating a phased approach to capacity growth based on demand patterns.
With the addition of Salalah services, Air India Express now operates from 2 airports in Oman, including Muscat International Airport and Salalah International Airport. This strengthens its presence in the region and improves route flexibility.
Flights between Muscat and Mangaluru have also resumed from 3 July. The airline currently operates around 40 weekly flights from Muscat, connecting 7 destinations in India, supporting consistent passenger and cargo movement.
All Kuwait-bound flights will operate from Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport, ensuring streamlined operations for passengers traveling between the two countries.
Network Expansion Drives Operational Scale And Market Reach
Air India Express currently operates about 780 weekly flights between India and West Asia. These flights connect 18 Indian cities directly with destinations across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The airline serves 13 destinations in the West Asia region, reflecting a broad network designed to support both business and personal travel demand. The consistent increase in routes and frequencies indicates a focus on scaling international connectivity.
Recent additions to the network include new routes such as Navi Mumbai to Abu Dhabi, Guwahati to Abu Dhabi, Guwahati to Dubai, Bengaluru to Phuket, and Pune to Amritsar. These routes expand both domestic and international reach.
From Bengaluru, the airline operates around 415 weekly flights, connecting the city with 30 domestic and 7 international destinations. This makes Bengaluru one of the key hubs in the airline’s network.
Kozhikode also remains a major operational center, with about 85 weekly flights connecting it to 13 destinations across West Asia and Bengaluru. This supports strong regional connectivity from southern India.
The restoration and expansion of routes reflect a structured approach to network growth. For Indian business owners and entrepreneurs, improved air connectivity supports trade, workforce mobility, and faster access to international markets.
The airline’s current scale and frequency levels highlight its growing role in linking India with West Asia through consistent and data-driven expansion of routes and operations.
