India’s major low-cost carrier IndiGo will operate six new direct flight services between several Indian and Middle Eastern cities.
The newly introduced routes include Bengaluru-Dubai, Kochi-Bahrain, Lucknow-Dammam commencing from June 01 and Ahmedabad-Jeddah, effective from August 11, 2023.
The airline has also announced seasonal additional flights between Chennai – Dammam and Kochi – Dammam in view of the high demand for travel to Middle East from India during the summer season.
A first for IndiGo
IndiGo will become the first Indian carrier to operate direct flights between Bengaluru-Dubai, Kochi-Bahrain.
It is also the only airline to provide daily direct connectivity between Kochi-Dammam, Lucknow-Dammam, Chennai-Dammam and Ahmedabad-Jeddah cutting down travel time.
Currently, IndiGo provides connections to 11 destinations in the Middle East including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, Sharjah, and Muscat.
The addition of these new flights will add capacity and enhance accessibility for travellers to and from the Middle East during the summer holidays.
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Mr. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo said, “At IndiGo, we are excited to meet the growing demand for travel between India & the Middle East, especially during summers.”
“These new direct connections will not only offer hassle-free and affordable options for travel between the cities, but also considerably reduce the travel time. “
“The Middle East, with its rich culture, delectable cuisine, and abundant oil reserves, is now more accessible than ever before to corporates, traders, tourists as well as those visiting friends & family.”
Middle East destinations
Bahrain, an island country in the Middle East, is known for its date palm groves and pearl fisheries.
Dammam, a city in Saudi Arabia, is a major administrative center for the Saudi oil industry. Jeddah, located on the coast of the Red Sea, is a gateway to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and is known for its bustling commercial activity and rich cultural heritage.
Dubai, also known as the “Venice of the Gulf,” is the main commercial centre of the United Arab Emirates. The city is also known for its high-end shopping, cutting-edge architecture, and nightlife.
The rise of India – Middle East air travel
Air travel between India and the Middle East has been on the rise for decades. In the early days, flights were mostly operated by state-owned airlines.
However, in recent years, there has been a surge in the number of private airlines flying between the two regions. This has led to a significant increase in the number of passengers traveling between India and the Middle East.
In 2019, there were over 20 million passengers flying between India and the Middle East. This number is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
The main reasons for this growth are the strong economic ties between India and the Middle East, the large number of Indian workers living in the Middle East, and the increasing popularity of tourism in both regions.
The most popular destinations for Indian travelers in the Middle East are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh. These cities are major business and tourism hubs, and they offer a wide range of attractions for Indian visitors.
The most popular destinations for Middle Eastern travelers in India are Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore. These cities are major economic and cultural centers, and they offer a wide range of attractions for Middle Eastern visitors.
The air travel industry between India and the Middle East is a major economic driver for both regions. It generates billions of dollars in revenue each year, and it supports millions of jobs. The industry is also a major contributor to tourism, and it helps to promote cultural understanding between India and the Middle East.
Here are some of the key factors that have contributed to the growth of air travel between India and the Middle East:
Economic growth: Both India and the Middle East have experienced strong economic growth in recent years. This has led to an increase in the number of people who can afford to travel.
Business ties: India and the Middle East have strong economic ties. There are many Indian companies that have operations in the Middle East, and there are many Middle Eastern companies that have operations in India. This has led to an increase in the number of business travelers between the two regions.
Tourism: Both India and the Middle East are popular tourist destinations. Indian tourists are attracted to the Middle East’s beaches, shopping, and cultural attractions. Middle Eastern tourists are attracted to India’s rich history, culture, and food.
Immigration: There are millions of Indian immigrants living in the Middle East. These immigrants often travel back and forth between India and the Middle East to visit family and friends.
The growth of air travel between India and the Middle East is expected to continue in the coming years.
This growth will be driven by the continued economic growth of both regions, the strong economic ties between the two regions, the increasing popularity of tourism in both regions, and the large number of Indian immigrants living in the Middle East.
