TeaTimeTreats: Direct Amritsar-Abu Dhabi Flight from October 29

 Direct Amritsar-Abu Dhabi Flight from October 29

Amritsar, September 14: In welcome relief for passengers travelling between Punjab and the United Arab Emirates, Air India Express will start a direct flight between Amritsar and Abu Dhabi from October 29, 2026, as part of the upcoming winter schedule.

Sharing the update in a joint statement, Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative, and Yogesh Kamra, Convener India of FlyAmritsar Initiative and General Secretary of Amritsar Vikas Manch, said that as per booking availability on the Air India Express website and travel portals, the new service will operate three times a week.

The flight will depart from Amritsar on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 8:40 pm, reaching Abu Dhabi the same day at 11:50 pm, with a total travel time of 4 hours and 40 minutes. The return flight will depart Abu Dhabi on Friday, Sunday and Monday at 12:55 am, arriving in Amritsar the same day at 6:15 am, with a travel time of 3 hours and 50 minutes.

Gumtala said the new flight is welcome news for passengers from Punjab, especially workers, families and business travellers who regularly travel to Abu Dhabi. “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. A direct Amritsar-Abu Dhabi flight will save time, reduce travel costs, reduce inconvenience, and provide another important UAE option from Punjab’s own international airport,” he said.

Kamra added that the route further strengthens Amritsar’s role as Punjab’s primary international gateway. With this addition, Amritsar-UAE connectivity is expected to reach 31 weekly flights each way to Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, subject to airline schedule changes.

He also hoped Air India Express and other Indian carriers would consider more direct services from Amritsar to destinations such as Muscat, Kuwait, and other Middle East cities where many Punjabis live and work.

The Initiative also reiterated its appeal to the Government of India to designate Amritsar as a point of call for UAE-based airlines such as Emirates, flydubai and Etihad to increase competition, lower fares and expand global transit options for the diaspora.