Air India Express is preparing for a major expansion this winter. The airline will operate around 585 daily flights under its Winter Schedule 2026, giving travelers more options across domestic and international routes. The expansion marks the airline’s largest-ever winter schedule and strengthens its domestic and international network.

Air India Express Plans Daily Flights

Under the Air India Express winter schedule 2026, the airline plans to operate about 585 flights every day. The airline currently operates around 500 daily services. The increase to 585 flights represents about a 17% rise in daily services compared with the summer schedule. The larger network will give passengers more travel choices and improve connectivity between Indian cities and international destinations.

New Air India Express Routes

One of the biggest highlights of the winter schedule is the launch of more than 40 new domestic and international routes. Air India Express plans to expand its overall network from around 180 routes to nearly 220 routes. Its international network will also grow significantly, increasing from 83 routes in the summer schedule to more than 100 international routes during winter. The airline will operate across 65 stations as part of its expanded network.

Expands International Flights

The airline is strengthening connectivity between India and destinations in the Gulf, Southeast Asia and neighboring markets. Some of the new and expanded Air India Express international routes include:

• Chennai to Singapore
• Bengaluru to Kathmandu
• Kochi to Bangkok
• Kochi to Kuwait
• Delhi to Riyadh
• Amritsar to Abu Dhabi
• Chandigarh to Sharjah
• Bhopal to Sharjah
• Mangaluru to Kuwait
• Lucknow to Riyadh
• Dubai to Goa
• Bahrain to Thiruvananthapuram

The new services expand international connectivity from both major metros and regional cities.

Domestic Flight Network Also Expands

Air India Express is not focusing only on international flights. The airline is also adding several domestic routes across India. Some of the routes included in the expanded winter network connect cities such as:

• Ahmedabad and Delhi
• Bengaluru and Goa
• Bengaluru and Jodhpur
• Bengaluru and Madurai
• Bengaluru and Coimbatore
• Delhi and Udaipur
• Hyderabad and Pune
• Mumbai and Nagpur
• Kolkata and Pune

These services will strengthen direct connectivity and give passengers more options for onward connections across the network. Routes and frequencies may vary during the phased launch.

Weekly Flights to Rise Sharply

The scale of Air India Express operations will increase significantly during the winter season. The airline is scheduled to increase weekly operations from around 3,150 flights during Summer 2026 to nearly 4,100 weekly flights under the new winter schedule.

One-stop connectivity will also improve. Air India Express expects weekly one-stop connections to rise from around 1,330 to nearly 1,600 connections. This could give passengers from smaller cities more options to reach destinations that do not have direct flights.

Why Air India Express Is Expanding Its Network

The airline also plans to strengthen connections between major metropolitan cities, emerging destinations and underserved markets. Improved air connectivity can support several areas of the economy, including:

• Tourism
• Business connectivity
• International trade
• Economic development
• Regional connectivity

When Does the Air India Express Winter Schedule Begin?

The Air India Express Winter Schedule 2026 takes effect on October 25, 2026. The airline will introduce the expanded services in phases during the winter travel season. India’s aviation winter schedule generally runs from the final Sunday of October until the final Saturday of March. Travelers flying during this period should check updated departure times and route availability before their journey.

The stronger network could give travelers more options when searching for domestic Air India Express flights and international flights from India. With more routes and higher frequencies, passengers will have more options for travel across India and connections to destinations in the Gulf, Southeast Asia and neighboring markets.

Travelers planning upcoming journeys can compare fares and check Indian Eagle deals early to explore affordable options for international flights. Comparing schedules, routes and ticket prices in advance can help passengers choose convenient travel options as Air India Express continues to expand its network.

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