Air India Express will launch a direct flight service between Amritsar and Abu Dhabi from October 29, 2026, offering a new travel option for passengers between Punjab and the United Arab Emirates.
The service, part of the upcoming winter schedule, will operate three times a week, according to booking information available on the Air India Express website and travel portals.
The flight will depart from Amritsar at 8:40 pm on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 11:50 pm the same day. The return flight will leave Abu Dhabi at 12:55 am on Friday, Sunday and Monday, reaching Amritsar at 6:15 am.
Welcoming the development, Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative, said the direct service would particularly benefit workers, families and business travellers from Punjab.
“For a long time, many passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi had to either fly from Delhi or travel from Amritsar to Dubai or Sharjah and then continue by road,” Gumtala said, adding that the direct flight would save travel time, reduce costs and offer passengers another direct UAE option from Amritsar airport.
Yogesh Kamra, India Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative and General Secretary of Amritsar Vikas Manch, said the new route would further strengthen Amritsar’s position as Punjab’s key international gateway.
With the addition of the Abu Dhabi service, Amritsar’s UAE connectivity is expected to reach 31 weekly flights each way to Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, subject to changes in airline schedules.
Kamra also urged Air India Express and other Indian carriers to consider launching direct flights from Amritsar to Muscat, Kuwait and other Middle Eastern destinations with significant Punjabi populations.
FlyAmritsar seeks more UAE connectivity
The FlyAmritsar Initiative also renewed its demand that the Government of India designate Amritsar as a point of call for UAE-based airlines, including Emirates, flydubai and Etihad.
The initiative said such a designation could increase competition, help bring down airfares and provide more international transit options for the Punjabi diaspora.
At present, UAE carriers cannot operate direct flights to Amritsar unless the airport is included as a designated point of call, it said. Kamra also urged the Punjab government to introduce dedicated and affordable bus services connecting cities across the state with Amritsar airport.
