Air India has announced its plans of ending full service operations from Dubai to Kochi and Hyderabad. Yes, the two routes will now instead be operated by its low-cost arm, Air India Express. This comes into effect from March 28, 2026, and here’s all you might want to know about this development relating to the airline.
Air India To Reshape Dubai-Kochi & Dubai-Hyderabad Routes
As revealed in a report of the Gulf News, Air India’s wide-body and narrow-body full-service flights, which operate Dubai-Kochi and Dubai-Hyderabad sectors, will end soon. Yes, in both directions, the airline will stop the flight services by the end of the winter schedule. However, instead of this, the service will now be operated by Air India Express. The report mentioned how these flights have not been cancelled. They have only been shifted to the Air India Express.
India-Dubai Is One Of The Busiest Corridors
It should be noted that the India and Dubai route is one of the busiest international aviation corridors in the world. And Air India has also followed a similar strategy in the past. Just a few years ago, the airline moved its Dubai services on the Mumbai and Delhi routes away from Air India’s mainline. So, it re-allocated capacity as a part of its fleet structuring and broader network.
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Flights By Air India Express From March 28th On These Sectors
However, according to aviation analysts, as revealed in the same report, the preferences remain split. After all, many expatriates and frequent flyers who visit the route prefer Air India’s full-service offerings. However, now the only offerings that will be available on this route from March 28th, 2026 onwards will be Air India Express.
With this being said, there are, however, many UAE national carriers that are also flying the routes. Emirates and Etihad operate flights to these routes as well. So, if you are someone who travels frequently on this sector, then you might want to keep this development in mind.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Rishavnandi08
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