Air India Express is strengthening South India’s international connectivity with the launch of direct flights from Bengaluru to three key Middle Eastern destinations: Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait City. The move underscores the airline’s strategic focus on expanding its international footprint while catering to rising demand from business travellers, expatriates, and religious pilgrims.
New Routes and Schedules
The new services will commence in late October 2025, offering multiple weekly frequencies to each destination:
Effective October 26, 2025 (local time):
- Bengaluru–Jeddah: Departs 17:45, Arrives 21:30 (Mon, Thu, Sun)
- Jeddah–Bengaluru: Departs 22:30, Arrives 06:40 (Mon, Thu, Sun)
Effective October 27, 2025:
- Bengaluru–Kuwait: Departs 22:20, Arrives 00:50 (Mon, Tue, Thu)
- Bengaluru–Riyadh: Departs 21:00, Arrives 00:20 (Mon, Wed, Fri)
Effective October 28, 2025:
- Kuwait–Bengaluru: Departs 01:50, Arrives 09:20 (Tue, Wed, Fri)
- Riyadh–Bengaluru: Departs 01:20, Arrives 08:55 (Tue, Thu, Sat)
These schedules are designed to offer convenient connectivity for both outbound and inbound travellers across South India.
Meeting Diverse Travel Demand
The expanded Middle East network targets a variety of passenger segments. The Bengaluru–Jeddah service is particularly tailored for Umrah pilgrims, providing a seamless connection from South India to the holy city. Business travellers and families visiting friends and relatives in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will also benefit from the convenience of direct flights.
Beyond outbound travel, the new services are expected to stimulate inbound tourism, as Saudi Arabia ramps up its cultural and heritage offerings, aligning with the kingdom’s broader tourism development initiatives.
Passengers from cities including Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tiruchirappalli can access these destinations via Bengaluru, further enhancing regional connectivity.
Bengaluru: A Strategic Hub
This expansion reinforces Bengaluru’s role as a key growth hub for Air India Express. The city has recently witnessed the introduction of new flights to Kathmandu, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Dehradun, with upcoming services to Bangkok (from October 18, 2025) and Jodhpur and Udaipur (from November 1, 2025).
Currently, Air India Express operates over 440 weekly flights from Bengaluru, connecting directly to 35 domestic destinations and seven international cities, including Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Dammam, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait, and Riyadh. The latest Middle East additions will not only enhance the airline’s regional network but also strengthen Bengaluru’s position as one of India’s fastest-growing aviation hubs.
