Amritsar: Air India Express is set to launch a direct flight between Amritsar and Abu Dhabi from October 29, providing a new travel option for passengers travelling between Punjab and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to booking details available on the airline’s website and travel portals, the service will operate three times a week on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
The flight will depart from Amritsar at 8.40pm and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 11.50pm. The return service will operate from Abu Dhabi at 12.55am on Friday, Sunday and Monday, reaching Amritsar at 6.15am. The journey will take around four hours and 40 minutes from Amritsar and approximately three hours and 50 minutes on the return leg.
Expected boost to international connectivity
Sumeep Singh Gumtala, global convenor of the Fly Amritsar Initiative, said the new service would particularly benefit workers, families and business travellers who frequently travel between Punjab and Abu Dhabi.
He said many passengers currently have to travel via Delhi or fly from Amritsar to Dubai or Sharjah before continuing their journey to Abu Dhabi by road. A direct service, he said, would save both time and travel costs while reducing the inconvenience involved in such journeys.
Yogesh Kamra, convenor of the initiative, said the addition of Abu Dhabi would further strengthen Amritsar’s position as Punjab’s international gateway.
According to Kamra, with Abu Dhabi being added to the schedule, the number of weekly flights between Amritsar and the UAE, covering Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, is expected to rise to 31 following changes to the airline’s schedule.
He also urged Air India Express and other Indian airlines to introduce direct services from Amritsar to other Gulf destinations, including Muscat and Kuwait, where a large Punjabi community lives and works.
