Advertisement
What really powers the cloud? Behind every Google search, A...
A lot of what defines a home isn’t visible at handover. I...
Private equity has played a significant role in shaping Indi...
Luxury real estate is one of the most talked-about segments ...
Airports play a much bigger role than just enabling travel -...
Madhya Pradesh has launched its first state-supported international flight service with a direct Air India Express connection between Indore and Abu Dhabi. Backed by the state's Civil Aviation Policy 2025, the route aims to improve connectivity with the UAE while supporting trade, investment and tourism. The service is expected to reduce travel time and lower airfares through Viability Gap Funding provided by the state government. The launch is also part of Madhya Pradesh's broader strategy to expand airport infrastructure and strengthen regional and international air connectivity.
Madhya Pradesh has launched its first international flight service supported under the state's Civil Aviation Policy 2025, with Air India Express commencing direct operations between Indore and Abu Dhabi. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav flagged off the inaugural flight at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport in Indore, marking the state's first government-funded international air connectivity initiative.
The Chief Minister said the new service is expected to strengthen ties between India and the United Arab Emirates while creating new opportunities for trade, investment, tourism and industrial growth. Officials also stated that the direct flight provides the state's commercial hub, Indore, with its first direct international connection to the UAE capital under the Civil Aviation Policy 2025.
Addressing the gathering at the airport, Yadav said the service would particularly benefit people from the Malwa-Nimar region by improving international connectivity and making overseas travel more convenient. The flight will operate four times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
He said passengers travelling between Indore and Abu Dhabi earlier had to transit through cities such as Delhi or Mumbai, resulting in a journey of around seven to eight hours. With the launch of the direct service, the travel time has been reduced to about three hours and 15 minutes, making travel faster and more convenient.
The Chief Minister further said the Madhya Pradesh government is providing Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of INR 15 lakh per round trip under the Civil Aviation Policy 2025 to support the international route. Owing to this subsidy, airfares on the Indore-Abu Dhabi sector are expected to remain between INR 12,000 and INR 15,000, significantly lower than the earlier fare range of INR 24,000 to INR 25,000 for passengers travelling through connecting flights.
He also informed that around 100 seats were booked on the inaugural Indore-Abu Dhabi flight, while nearly 170 seats were booked on the first Abu Dhabi-Indore service. He expressed confidence that passenger traffic on the route would continue to increase in the coming months as awareness and demand grow.
Highlighting the long-standing economic and cultural relationship between India and the UAE, Yadav said the direct international service would further strengthen connectivity between the two regions. The UAE remains one of India's largest trading partners, while a significant Indian diaspora lives and works there, making direct air connectivity important for both business and personal travel.
The Chief Minister added that Madhya Pradesh has been steadily expanding its aviation infrastructure. Since he assumed office, three new airports have been inaugurated in the state, while construction of airports at Ujjain and Shivpuri is currently in progress.
He further said the state has already introduced flights on routes including Rewa-Delhi, Rewa-Indore and Rewa-Raipur. Preparations are also underway to launch additional services connecting Jabalpur with Kolkata, Bhopal with Rewa, Bhopal with Patna, and Rewa with Kolkata to strengthen regional connectivity.
In addition, the state government is working on expanding helicopter services from Indore to Ujjain and Omkareshwar. Efforts are also underway to extend the benefits of the Regional Air Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) to districts such as Shajapur, Neemuch, Chhindwara and Mandla, with the aim of improving air access across more parts of Madhya Pradesh.
Source PTI
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
