The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has welcomed a delegation of Indian journalists and Air India Express representatives following the launch of the airline’s inaugural service between Navi Mumbai International Airport and Abu Dhabi, the Indian airport’s first international route.

The new connection strengthens air links between India and the UAE capital, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal as a tourism destination.

To mark the milestone, DCT Abu Dhabi hosted a welcome dinner at Zayed National Museum, attended by senior officials from the Indian Embassy, Air India Express, Abu Dhabi Airports and the tourism sector.

During the visit, the delegation will tour key attractions including the Saadiyat Cultural District, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Qasr Al Watan and Yas Island.

Air India Express currently operates two weekly flights on the Navi Mumbai–Abu Dhabi route, increasing to three from 29 July.

Combined with services from Indore and Lucknow, the airline now connects Abu Dhabi with 14 Indian cities through 75 weekly non-stop flights.

The expanded connectivity supports Abu Dhabi’s tourism growth following a record 26.6 million visitors in 2025, alongside continued investment in major cultural and entertainment projects, including Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Sphere Abu Dhabi and Disney Resort Abu Dhabi.

Haitham Al Khamis, Acting-Director of Tourism Products Development at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “The launch of Air India Express's new Navi Mumbai service reflects the strength of the relationship between the UAE and India and the continued confidence of our aviation partners in Abu Dhabi and in the destination's long-term tourism growth. We are proud to welcome our guests to the emirate, and look forward to them experiencing our destination which continues to evolve through new museums, major attractions, world-class events and sustained investment across culture, entertainment and hospitality.”

Dr Deepak Mittal, Ambassador of India to the UAE, said: “The continued expansion of air connectivity between India and Abu Dhabi reflects the strength of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the enduring bonds between our people. These new services will further facilitate tourism, business, investment and cultural exchanges while making travel more convenient for millions of passengers. I congratulate Air India Express, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Airports on this significant initiative that further strengthens the India-UAE partnership.”

Nipun Aggarwal, Chairman, Air India Express, said: “We are delighted to celebrate this expansion with our valued partners in Abu Dhabi. The launch of new routes to Abu Dhabi from Navi Mumbai, Indore and Lucknow reflects our commitment to strengthening connectivity between India and one of our most important international markets. Together with the upcoming Abu Dhabi–Guwahati route, this expansion creates more opportunities for travellers while supporting tourism, trade and deeper economic and cultural engagement between India and the UAE. As we continue to expand our network, we remain committed to connecting more Indian cities directly with destinations that matter most to our guests.”

Carsten Nørland, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “As India continues to grow as one of our most important markets, our focus at Zayed International Airport (AUH) is on supporting that growth with the capacity, efficiency and connectivity that airlines and passengers need. The increasing demand for both direct and transfer travel reinforces AUH’s role as a strategic gateway between India, the UAE and onward markets. The launch of the Navi Mumbai service, is a strong reflection of this momentum and of our valued partnership with Air India Express as we continue to expand choice, convenience and connectivity for passengers travelling through Abu Dhabi.” -TradeArabia News Service