Direct flights connect Abu Dhabi to three culturally rich Indian cities
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi will soon be connected to three culturally rich cities of India — Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Madurai — with direct flights.IndiGo, India's largest airline, announced the launch of new direct flights linking the UAE capital to Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Madurai, three culturally significant Indian cities that have long awaited improved international access.The direct flights to Bhubaneswar will operate three times a week starting from June 12, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while Visakhapatnam will be connected four times weekly from June 13, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flights to Madurai will also begin on June 13 and run three times a week — on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.The expansion comes as part of IndiGo's strategic push to enhance regional international connectivity and offer time-saving travel options for passengers. Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is renowned for its ancient Kalingan temples and its emerging status as a hub for IT and education.Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, is a key port city in Andhra Pradesh known for its industrial importance, naval base, and scenic coastal attractions such as Araku Valley and Kailasagiri. Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and a centre of Tamil culture and devotion, is home to the iconic Meenakshi Temple and serves as the second most important city in Tamil Nadu after Chennai.'By introducing these direct flights, IndiGo is enhancing travel convenience for passengers, expanding international access to regional markets, and catering to the growing demand from both business and leisure travellers,' the airline said in a statement.Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, added: 'We are pleased to announce direct flights to Abu Dhabi, further growing our international network. With the addition of these flights, IndiGo now operates over 100 weekly flights to Abu Dhabi from 15 cities in India. This also increases our frequencies to the UAE to 275 flights a week from 18 cities in India. As demand for direct international travel grows, we're committed to connecting India with global economic centres, ensuring on-time, affordable, and seamless travel across our expanding network.'The new connections are expected to ease travel for the large Indian diaspora in the UAE, as well as promote two-way tourism, trade, and educational links.Bookings for the new flights can be made via IndiGo's website or mobile app, and the move reinforces the airline's role in bridging India's Tier-2 cities with global destinations through reliable, cost-effective, and direct air links.Bhupesh Akkineni, a software engineer based in Abu Dhabi, welcomed the direct flight between the UAE capital and Visakhapatnam, the commercial capital of Andhra Pradesh. 'It will save us a lot of time wasted on layovers and changing flights. It comes as a big relief for families from the region,' he said.Amiya Mishra, President of Odisha Samaj UAE, also welcomed the move. 'We are delighted with the news of a direct flight from Bhubaneswar to Abu Dhabi. Now it is almost a daily flight from the UAE to Bhubaneswar except Sunday, which will be of great help to all Odias in the UAE.' IndiGo is already running a three-times-a-week service from Dubai to Bhubaneswar — on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry also hailed the launch of direct flights from Madurai to Abu Dhabi. In a statement, Chamber President N. Jagatheesan said the body had long emphasised the need for increased international flight services from Madurai to benefit the business community, international travellers and the general public.
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