India-Bahrain Air Connectivity Strengthens

IndiGo and Air India Express Announce New Summer Schedules

TDT | Manama

Email : pradeep@newsofbahrain.com

Travel options between India and Bahrain have received a significant boost as major carriers IndiGo and Air India Express have announced a series of direct flights and reinstated routes starting this season. In a key development for the Indian expatriate community, Air India Express officially commenced its direct flight services from Kozhikode to Bahrain yesterday, April 30, 2026, marking a vital addition to the region's connectivity. From now on, Air India Express will operate four flights weekly from Kozhikode to Bahrain.

The move comes as a major relief for travelers, aligning with the upcoming summer vacation season when travel demand typically surges. Alongside the new Kozhikode service, Air India Express is also strengthening its footprint by reinstating direct flights between Kannur International Airport and Bahrain starting May 7, 2026. These Kannur flights will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, departing Kannur at 20:35 and returning from Bahrain at 23:35.

This expansion is part of a broader regional strategy by Air India Express, which has officially reinstated its full operations across West Asia. As of today, the airline—a Tata enterprise—has restored connectivity to Qatar and Bahrain while enhancing flight frequencies to the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The carrier now operates over 40 daily flights to the Gulf region from major Indian gateways including Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Bengaluru.

In Qatar, the airline has resumed vital links to Doha from Kochi and Kozhikode. Meanwhile, its Saudi Arabian network now covers Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam from various South Indian cities. The airline continues to maintain a robust presence in the UAE and Oman, operating a fleet of over 100 aircraft.

IndiGo is also set to play a major role in this expansion, resuming its daily direct service between Mumbai and Bahrain starting Saturday, May 2, 2026. According to the new schedule, the flight will depart Mumbai at 20:50 and arrive in Bahrain at 21:55. The return leg departs Bahrain at 22:55, reaching Mumbai at 05:10 the following morning. Beyond Mumbai, IndiGo has also opened bookings for connecting flights to various Indian cities and announced that direct services from Bahrain to Kochi and Hyderabad will commence on June 18.