Air India Express has announced its largest winter flight schedule yet, with plans to operate approximately 585 daily flights starting October 25, 2026. The expansion will introduce more than 40 new domestic and international routes, connecting several Indian cities with destinations across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Nepal. Under the Air India Express Winter Schedule 2026, the airline will expand its network to 65 stations and 220 routes. The revised schedule will be introduced in phases, with additional flights planned across major metropolitan cities and smaller regional destinations.
What Are The Highlights Of The Air India Express Winter Schedule 2026?
Air India Express plans to operate approximately 435 domestic departures and up to 150 international departures daily. Its weekly operations will increase from around 3,150 flights during Summer 2026 to nearly 4,100 flights under the new winter schedule, representing an increase of approximately 30 percent.
The Air India Express’s international network will also expand from 83 routes to more than 100. Meanwhile, weekly one-stop connections are expected to increase from approximately 1,330 to nearly 1,600, giving passengers additional options for connecting journeys. The Air India Express flight schedule 2026 will be supported by a fleet of more than 105 aircraft, allowing the airline to increase capacity across domestic and international markets.
Which New International Routes Will Air India Express Introduce?
The Air India Express new routes 2026 include connections to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Thailand, Singapore, and Nepal. Among the notable additions are Chennai-Singapore, Bengaluru-Kathmandu, Delhi-Riyadh, Mumbai-Kuwait, Hyderabad-Phuket, and Bengaluru-connected international services. Chennai-Singapore will operate 14 times weekly, while Bengaluru-Kathmandu and Dubai-Goa (Dabolim) will operate seven times weekly.
Other Air India Express international routes include Abu Dhabi-Goa (Mopa), Amritsar-Abu Dhabi, Bhopal-Sharjah, Chandigarh-Sharjah, Kochi-Kuwait, Lucknow-Riyadh, Mangaluru-Kuwait, and Sharjah-Surat. The airline will also introduce Bangkok connections with Indore, Kochi, and Visakhapatnam, alongside Bahrain-Thiruvananthapuram and Riyadh-Thiruvananthapuram services. These additions will strengthen the airline’s presence in the Gulf while introducing more travel options to Southeast Asian destinations.
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Which New Domestic Routes Are Included In The Winter Schedule?
The Air India Express domestic routes expansion will introduce connections between several metropolitan and regional cities. Bengaluru will receive new services to Coimbatore, Goa (Mopa), Jodhpur, and Madurai. The Bengaluru-Coimbatore route will operate 14 times weekly, while the other three routes will have seven weekly flights each.
Other Air India Express new flights include Ahmedabad-Delhi, Delhi-Jaipur, Delhi-Udaipur, Delhi-Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Mumbai-Nagpur, Hyderabad-Pune, and Kolkata-Pune. Navi Mumbai will also gain connections with Bhopal and Indore, while Hyderabad-Mangaluru and Bhubaneswar-Sri Vijaya Puram are among the additional domestic services. The expansion will provide more direct travel options between cities that previously required passengers to consider connecting flights or alternative routes.
Why Is Air India Express Expanding Its Flight Network?
The airline’s October 2026 announcement comes as it prepares to increase operations across domestic and international markets during the winter travel season. Nipun Aggarwal, Chairman of Air India Express, said the expansion reflects confidence in India’s growth and the importance of aviation connectivity for tourism, trade, and economic development.
He also emphasized the airline’s focus on improving accessibility between metropolitan cities, emerging destinations, and underserved markets while managing higher fuel costs and other operating challenges. The additional international services will strengthen connections between Indian cities and Gulf destinations, while new routes to Thailand, Singapore, and Nepal will broaden the airline’s regional network.
What Should Passengers Know Before Booking?
Although the Air India Express winter flights are scheduled to begin on October 25, 2026, the airline will introduce the expanded network in phases. This means individual routes may have different commencement dates and operating frequencies Passengers planning to book Air India Express flights should check the airline’s official booking platform for route availability, departure timings, and applicable fares before finalizing their travel arrangements.
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Summing Up
With approximately 585 daily flights, more than 40 new routes, and an expanded network covering 65 stations, Air India Express is preparing for its largest winter schedule to date. The expansion will increase connectivity across India while introducing additional international services to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Travelers planning journeys after October 25 should check the updated schedule as the new services are introduced in phases.
