Amritsar, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Air India Express is set to introduce direct flights between Amritsar and Abu Dhabi from October 29, giving travellers from Punjab another direct connection to the United Arab Emirates.
The new route, scheduled as part of the airline’s winter operations, will have three flights a week. According to booking information available on the airline’s website and travel portals, services from Amritsar will operate on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The flight will take off from Amritsar at 8.40 pm and reach Abu Dhabi at 11.50 pm on the same day.
In the opposite direction, the flight will depart Abu Dhabi at 12.55 am on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays and arrive in Amritsar at 6.15 am.
Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative, welcomed the new connection, saying it would make travel more convenient for 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.
He said the direct service would help passengers save both time and money while adding another UAE destination accessible directly from Amritsar airport.
Yogesh Kamra, India Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative and General Secretary of Amritsar Vikas Manch, said the Abu Dhabi connection would further consolidate Amritsar’s position as Punjab’s key international aviation gateway.
With the new service, Amritsar is expected to have 31 flights each way every week connecting the airport with Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, subject to changes in airline schedules.
Kamra called upon Air India Express and other Indian airlines to explore direct services from Amritsar to Muscat, Kuwait and other destinations in the Middle East having sizeable Punjabi populations.
FlyAmritsar Seeks More UAE Connectivity
The FlyAmritsar Initiative also reiterated its demand that the Government of India designate Amritsar as a point of call for UAE-based airlines, including Emirates, flydubai and Etihad.
It said allowing these airlines to serve Amritsar directly could increase competition, potentially reduce fares and provide the Punjabi diaspora with additional international transit options.
According to the initiative, UAE carriers cannot currently operate direct services to Amritsar unless the airport is included among the designated points of call.
Kamra also called upon the Punjab Government to introduce dedicated and affordable bus services connecting different cities of the state with Amritsar airport.
“If the State Government can run buses from Punjab cities to Delhi Airport, then why is Amritsar Airport being ignored for the same service?” he asked.
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