By Kavita Mistry 
Air India Express has expanded its international footprint from Bengaluru with the launch of direct flights to three key destinations in the Middle East — Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Services to Jeddah will commence on October 26, 2025, while flights to Riyadh and Kuwait will begin the following day, marking a significant step in enhancing regional connectivity.
The new routes will cater to a broad range of travellers, including Indian expatriates, business professionals, and families visiting friends and relatives across Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The direct connection to Jeddah is also expected to offer greater convenience for Umrah pilgrims travelling from Bengaluru.
Fares for the new routes have been introduced at competitive rates, with Bengaluru–Riyadh flights starting at ₹13,500 (505 SAR), Bengaluru–Jeddah at ₹19,500 (570 SAR), and Bengaluru–Kuwait at ₹13,600 (27 KWD). Bookings are available through the airline’s website, mobile app, and leading travel platforms.
Passengers from Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tiruchirappalli can also conveniently connect to these Middle Eastern destinations via Bengaluru.
The announcement follows a phase of rapid expansion for Air India Express from Bengaluru, with recent launches to Kathmandu, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Dehradun. Upcoming routes to Bangkok from October 18, and Jodhpur and Udaipur from November 1, 2025, will further strengthen the city’s role as a key operational hub for the airline.
At present, Air India Express operates more than 440 weekly flights from Bengaluru, connecting directly to 35 domestic and seven international destinations, including Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Dammam, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait, and Riyadh. The expansion reinforces the airline’s growing commitment to strengthening regional and international accessibility for South Indian travellers.
