15 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Air India Express will launch a direct flight between Amritsar and Abu Dhabi from October 29, 2026, giving passengers from Punjab another direct air-connectivity option with the United Arab Emirates. The new service is expected to particularly benefit workers, families and business travellers who frequently travel between Punjab and the UAE.
Three Flights a Week
According to booking information available through the airline and travel portals, the new Amritsar-Abu Dhabi service will operate three times a week.
Flights from Amritsar will operate on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The aircraft will depart Amritsar at 8:40 pm and reach Abu Dhabi at 11:50 pm the same day.
Return Flight Schedule
The return service from Abu Dhabi will operate early in the morning on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays.
The flight will depart Abu Dhabi at 12:55 am and arrive in Amritsar at around 6:15 am.
The scheduled flying time is approximately four hours and 40 minutes from Amritsar to Abu Dhabi, while the return journey is expected to take around three hours and 50 minutes.
Relief for Punjab-UAE Travellers
The new direct connection is expected to make travel easier for a large number of Punjabis working or living in the UAE.
At present, passengers travelling from Amritsar to Abu Dhabi may have to use connecting routes or travel via other UAE airports before continuing by road. The direct service could reduce both travel time and the inconvenience associated with such connections.
Boost to Amritsar Airport
The new route is expected to further strengthen Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, as Punjab’s major international aviation gateway.
With Abu Dhabi added to the network, Amritsar’s direct UAE connectivity is expected to reach around 31 weekly flights each way to Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, subject to changes in airline schedules.
Demand for More Gulf Connections
The development has also renewed calls for more direct international services from Amritsar.
Representatives of the FlyAmritsar Initiative have urged Indian carriers to consider direct flights to destinations such as Muscat and Kuwait, where a large Punjabi population lives and works.
Call for UAE Airlines to Fly Directly to Amritsar
The FlyAmritsar Initiative has also renewed its demand for Amritsar to be designated as a point of call for UAE-based airlines, including Emirates, flydubai and Etihad.
Supporters of the demand argue that allowing more carriers to operate directly from Amritsar could increase competition, expand travel options and potentially help reduce airfares for passengers.
Important Connectivity for Punjabi Diaspora
The UAE is an important destination for Punjabis travelling for employment, business, family visits and other purposes.
A direct Amritsar-Abu Dhabi service therefore has significance beyond tourism, providing an additional route for the large Punjab-UAE travel market.
Amritsar’s International Role Grows
The new route comes as Amritsar continues to expand its international air network.
Better connectivity with Gulf destinations can also strengthen the airport’s role as a gateway for passengers from Punjab and neighbouring regions, reducing their dependence on Delhi airport for international journeys.