Indian residents in the UAE will soon have more affordable travel options to their home country. IndiGo, a low-cost carrier, is set to launch operations to three additional Indian cities starting next month, offering fares as low as Dh330.
Key Takeaways
- New Routes: IndiGo will introduce direct flights between Abu Dhabi and the Indian cities of Mangaluru, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirappalli.
- Start Dates: Flights to Mangaluru will begin on August 9, Tiruchirappalli on August 11, and Coimbatore on August 10.
- Frequency: Mangaluru flights will operate daily, Tiruchirappalli flights four times a week, and Coimbatore flights thrice weekly.
- Affordable Fares: One-way tickets from Abu Dhabi to Mangaluru and Coimbatore will start at Dh353 and Dh330, respectively. Return fares can be as low as Dh843.
- High Demand: The UAE-India air corridor is one of the busiest, with 3.7 million Indian nationals living in the UAE.
New Routes and Schedules
IndiGo’s new routes aim to cater to the high demand for air travel between the UAE and India. The airline will launch direct flights between Abu Dhabi and three Indian cities:
- Mangaluru: Daily flights starting from August 9, 2024.
- Tiruchirappalli: Four times a week starting from August 11, 2024.
- Coimbatore: Thrice weekly starting from August 10, 2024.
Affordable Travel Options
The introduction of these new routes comes with competitive pricing. One-way airfare from Abu Dhabi to Mangaluru and Coimbatore will be as low as Dh353 and Dh330, respectively. Return airfare for UAE travelers can be as low as Dh843, making it more affordable for expats to visit their home country.
High Demand and Busy Corridor
The UAE-India air corridor is one of the busiest in the world, largely due to the 3.7 million Indian nationals residing in the UAE. This high demand often leads to a significant increase in airfares, especially during peak travel seasons such as summer holidays and New Year.
According to aviation consultancy OAG, the India-UAE corridor was the 9th busiest by seats in July 2024, with 2.192 million seats. Data from Abu Dhabi Airports for the first quarter of 2024 showed that Mumbai, Kochi, and Delhi were among the top destinations, with passenger numbers reaching 240,681, 206,139, and 203,395, respectively.
Conclusion
The addition of these new routes by IndiGo is a welcome development for Indian expats in the UAE, providing them with more travel options at competitive prices. As the demand for air travel between the two countries continues to grow, these new routes will help accommodate the increasing number of passengers.