Guwahati Now Has Northeast India's First Direct Flights to the Gulf

Air India Express launched direct flights connecting Guwahati with Dubai and Abu Dhabi in August 2026, becoming the first airline to fly Northeast India non-stop to the Gulf. The Guwahati–Dubai service began on 4 August, operating weekly on Tuesdays, while the Guwahati–Abu Dhabi route followed on 7 August, operating weekly on Fridays. Until these routes started, travellers from Assam and the wider Northeast flying to the UAE had to connect through Kolkata, Delhi or Mumbai, adding a domestic leg to what is now a single non-stop flight.

What the schedule looks like

The Dubai flight departs Guwahati in the early afternoon and arrives in Dubai in the evening, with the return leg departing Dubai in the evening and landing back in Guwahati after midnight. The Abu Dhabi service follows a similar late-morning departure and afternoon arrival pattern, with the return flight landing back in Guwahati by late evening. Both routes currently operate once a week on their respective days, rather than daily.

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Why it matters for the region

The UAE is one of the largest overseas job markets for workers from Assam and the wider Northeast, and a sizeable Gulf-based diaspora from the region has historically relied on connecting flights through other Indian metros. A direct service cuts total travel time and removes the need for a domestic transfer, and airport authorities have suggested it could also open the route to Gulf-based leisure travellers looking to visit Northeast India's national parks and hill destinations without a long layover.

Confirm before you book

As with any newly launched route, frequency, timings and fares can change; travellers should confirm current schedules and fares directly with Air India Express or a booking platform before finalising travel plans.

Traveller tips

• Both routes currently operate once weekly; check the airline's site for the latest day and time before booking connecting travel.
• Guwahati's Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport also has strong domestic connectivity across the Northeast, useful for combining the Gulf flight with onward regional travel.
• Indian nationals require a UAE visa arranged in advance or through eligible visa-on-arrival categories; check current requirements before travelling.
• As with any new route, verify schedules and fares with the airline directly, since frequencies on newly launched services can change.