NewKerala.com

Air India Express Resumes Gulf Flights, Expands Qatar Operations

Air India Express has reinstated operations to Qatar and Bahrain, along with additional flights to the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia starting April 30. The airline is operating from 15 Indian cities, including major metros and regional gateways like Amritsar, Bengaluru, and Kochi. This resumption comes two months after Operation Epic Fury, a joint US-Israeli military campaign, disrupted regional aviation. Indian carriers, including Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo, are restoring full-scale operations at Hamad International Airport in Doha.

Key Points: Air India Express Resumes Gulf Flights May 1

  • Air India Express resumes operations to Qatar & Bahrain
  • Additional flights to UAE, Oman & Saudi Arabia
  • Flights from 15 Indian cities including metros & regional gateways
  • Resumption follows Operation Epic Fury's impact on Gulf aviation
  • Air India, Air India Express & IndiGo to restore Doha flights
2 min read

Air India Express reinstates operations in Gulf

Air India Express reinstates flights to Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman & Saudi Arabia from April 30. Major Indian metros & regional hubs connected.

"Indian carriers plan to resume operations at Hamad International Airport, Doha - Embassy of India Doha, Qatar"

New Delhi, May 1

Air India Express, India's first international value carrier, has announced the reinstatement of operations to Qatar and Bahrain, along with additional flights to the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, starting April 30.

Flights have resumed from major Indian metros and regional gateways, including Amritsar, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kannur, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram and Varanasi.

Air India Express will continue operating to Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Jeddah, Riyadh and Muscat, with the reinstatement of established routes connecting India to the Gulf region.

Air India Express is A Tata Enterprise, operating over 500 daily flights that connect 45 domestic and 17 international destinations across South, Southeast and West Asia. The airline has a fleet of over 100 Boeing 737s and Airbus A320 aeroplanes. As India's most vibrant and inclusive airline, Air India Express embodies the spirit and confidence of India - warm, expressive, and proudly authentic. Encouraging travellers to 'Xplore More, Xpress More', the airline transforms flying into an experience that is personal and memorable.

With thoughtfully curated touches - from 'Gourmair' hot meals, comfortable seats, and refreshed interiors to exclusive loyalty benefits for over 20 million members, Air India Express blends smart technology with heartfelt Indian hospitality.

In a significant move, India's leading airlines are set to restore full-scale operations at Hamad International Airport (DOH) starting today, May 1.

The resumption comes exactly two months after Operation Epic Fury (launched Feb 28, 2026), a joint US-Israeli military campaign that targeted Iranian leadership and nuclear infrastructure. This triggered a massive regional conflagration.

Three of India's most prominent carriers will spearhead the return to Hamad International, reconnecting Doha with various major Indian metros and regional hubs, Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo.

"Indian carriers plan to resume operations at Hamad International Airport, Doha, as flight operations continue to expand. Air India, Air India Express and Indigo plan to resume their flight services between Doha and various destinations in India starting 1 May 2026," posted Embassy of India Doha, Qatar on X.

The Embassy emphasised that this expansion is not an isolated effort but a synchronised move between international aviation bodies.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
This is a good step but I'm concerned about the security situation. Just two months ago there was a major operation in the region. Are our airports and airlines truly prepared for any emergencies? Safety should be the first priority, not just business expansion.
V
Vivek B
Jaipur to Doha direct flights? That's what I was waiting for! Air India Express ka 'Gourmair' meals are surprisingly good, especially the biryani. Hope they maintain quality now that operations are expanding. Also glad to see Tata's management keeping things professional.
A
Aditya G
Respectful criticism: The article mentions 500 daily flights but I've seen delays on many routes recently. Reinstating Gulf routes is good but please fix domestic punctuality first. Also, what about passenger compensation if flights get disrupted due to regional tensions? We need clarity.
P
Priya S
Finally some normalcy returning! My brother works in Doha and has been struggling with connecting flights since February. Direct from Kochi will be a blessing. Just hoping the authorities keep monitoring the situation closely. Safety first, but happy to see Indian airlines leading the way back.
N
Nikhil C
Air India Express needs to improve their app and booking experience. The website is clunky and often crashes during peak hours. But good to see them expanding to Gulf routes again. Competition with IndiGo will benefit passengers. Hope they add more regional flights from smaller cities too.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50