Air India Express will resume its direct flight service between Surat and Dubai from May 17, offering relief to passengers and business travellers commuting to Gulf countries. Ticket bookings for the route have already opened.
The flight service had been suspended since February due to limited slot availability for foreign airlines at Dubai Airport and tensions linked to the Iran-US conflict.
Currently, Surat has no direct international flight connectivity, creating difficulties for travellers, especially people working or conducting business in Gulf nations.
The Surat-Dubai route has seen strong demand, with around 79,411 passengers travelling between the two cities during the financial year 2025-26.
Passengers have appealed to the airline and authorities to ensure that ticket prices remain affordable. Sources also indicate that more international flight routes from Surat may be introduced in the coming months.