India and Oman Reconnect as Air India Express Restores Salalah Flights While Kuwait Services Return Across Key Gulf Routes, Transforming Summer Travel Plans for GCC Passengers—Latest Update

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The full restoration of Air India Express resumes Salalah and Kuwait flights marks a significant milestone for travellers flying between India and the Gulf region after weeks of operational uncertainty caused by geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The airline has reinstated services to Salalah in Oman and Kuwait City, restoring its entire West Asia network while simultaneously increasing capacity on key expatriate and leisure travel corridors. The move benefits thousands of Indian workers, families, business travellers and holidaymakers who rely on affordable direct flights connecting southern India with the GCC.

The resumed operations also reinforce India’s rapidly expanding aviation relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), one of the country’s most strategically important international aviation markets. Air India Express has restarted Kozhikode–Salalah services from 2 July, resumed Kozhikode–Kuwait flights from 3 July, and will restore Bengaluru–Kuwait operations from 4 July before adjusting schedules to match seasonal demand. The restoration comes as the carrier accelerates broader network expansion, including new international routes from Navi Mumbai and Guwahati, reflecting sustained demand for India-Gulf connectivity despite recent regional disruptions.

West Asia Network Returns to Full Operations

Following temporary operational disruptions linked to regional security concerns surrounding the Iran conflict, Air India Express has restored its complete West Asia network, signalling renewed confidence in regional air travel.

The airline’s latest schedule reinstates important direct connections between Kerala, Karnataka and two major Gulf destinations that serve large Indian expatriate communities. These routes are among the carrier’s strongest international markets, carrying a combination of migrant workers, visiting relatives, religious travellers and leisure passengers throughout the year.

The restoration also improves schedule reliability during the busy summer travel season when outbound traffic from India to the Gulf traditionally experiences a noticeable increase.

Restored Flight Operations

Flight Timings Provide Convenient Regional Connectivity

The restored schedules have been designed to maximise connectivity while offering convenient overnight and daytime travel options.

Passengers travelling between Kozhikode and Salalah can once again access direct flights without transiting through larger Gulf hubs. Meanwhile, Kuwait-bound travellers from both Kerala and Karnataka regain nonstop access to one of the Gulf’s busiest labour and business markets.

Operational Schedule

Why These Routes Matter for Indian Travellers

The Gulf region remains India’s largest international aviation market by passenger volume.

Millions of Indian nationals live and work across GCC countries, with Kerala and Karnataka contributing a substantial share of expatriate workers. Direct services reduce overall travel times, eliminate transit complications and offer lower fares compared with one-stop itineraries.

Salalah is also emerging as an increasingly popular summer destination for Indian leisure travellers. During the annual Khareef season, the city transforms into a lush green landscape, attracting visitors seeking cooler temperatures compared with much of the Arabian Peninsula.

Kuwait continues to generate consistent passenger demand due to its sizeable Indian workforce, growing business links and year-round family travel.

Air India Express Continues Expanding Across the GCC

The restoration of services forms part of a broader expansion strategy rather than simply a recovery from recent disruptions.

The airline now operates flights to 13 destinations across GCC countries, strengthening its position as one of India’s largest low-cost international carriers serving the Gulf.

Within Oman, Air India Express now serves both Muscat and Salalah, enabling passengers to access multiple regions without requiring domestic transfers.

The GCC continues to represent one of the world’s busiest international aviation corridors, supported by labour migration, tourism, trade and strong cultural connections.

Air India Express Presence Across the GCC

India’s International Aviation Growth Continues at Pace

The latest route restoration coincides with broader expansion across India’s aviation sector.

Indian airports handled record passenger volumes during the past financial year, supported by growing disposable incomes, expanding airline fleets and rising outbound tourism. Government initiatives aimed at strengthening airport infrastructure have also enabled airlines to launch more international routes from secondary cities.

The country’s aviation market continues to rank among the fastest-growing globally, with airlines increasingly targeting underserved international destinations rather than concentrating solely on metropolitan hubs.

For travellers, this translates into greater route choice, improved competition and more direct international services.

Upcoming Network Expansion Extends Beyond West Asia

Air India Express is simultaneously preparing additional international launches that will further strengthen India’s overseas connectivity.

From 15 July 2026, the airline plans to begin direct international flights between Abu Dhabi and Navi Mumbai International Airport, becoming the first carrier to operate overseas services from Maharashtra’s newest airport.

Further east-west connectivity will follow in August when weekly flights from Guwahati to Abu Dhabi and Dubai commence, providing Northeast India with improved direct access to the Gulf.

These additions illustrate the airline’s strategy of connecting emerging Indian airports with major international markets rather than relying exclusively on Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.

Upcoming International Launches

What the Restoration Means for Travellers

For passengers, the return of these services offers several practical advantages.

Greater flight availability is expected to improve booking flexibility during peak travel periods while increasing competition on India-Gulf sectors. Additional capacity may also help moderate fare pressures during periods of high demand, although pricing will continue to depend on seasonal factors.

Direct flights remain particularly valuable for elderly passengers, families travelling with children and workers carrying additional baggage, reducing both journey times and transit-related inconvenience.

Travellers should nevertheless continue checking visa requirements, baggage policies and entry regulations before departure, as these may vary between destinations.

Traveller Benefits

Regional Aviation Shows Strong Resilience

The rapid restoration of operations demonstrates the resilience of aviation demand between India and the Gulf despite temporary geopolitical uncertainty.

Although airlines across the region were forced to adjust schedules during periods of heightened security concerns, passenger demand has remained fundamentally strong. The reopening of these services suggests airlines are increasingly confident about restoring normal operations while maintaining flexibility should conditions evolve.

India’s close economic relationship with GCC countries continues to underpin long-term growth in air travel, with labour mobility, tourism and business investment collectively supporting sustained passenger demand.

For travel companies, tour operators and aviation stakeholders, the resumed flights provide additional inventory during the busy summer season while reinforcing confidence in one of the world’s most strategically important international air corridors.

As Air India Express resumes Salalah and Kuwait flights, the airline not only restores critical connectivity for Gulf-bound passengers but also reinforces India’s expanding international aviation footprint, creating new opportunities for tourism, trade and regional mobility across one of the fastest-growing travel markets in the world.