From spectacular fireworks and summer adventures in Australia and New Zealand to winter festivities in Europe, cultural celebrations across Asia and immersive cruise journeys, Indian travellers are exploring new ways to celebrate the year gone by and welcome the year ahead. 

Recognising this growing trend, Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have curated a portfolio of domestic and international holidays spanning Australia and New Zealand, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, India and the Arctic, alongside luxury ocean and expedition cruises.

Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel offer year-end holidays through ready-to-book, air-inclusive group tours and customised holidays tailored to individual preferences. Spanning domestic and international destinations, the portfolio brings together seasonal highlights and distinctive experiences for families, couples, friends and multi-generational groups, with options ranging from New Year celebrations and sightseeing to cultural discovery and immersive destination experiences.

Australia & New Zealand: A summer New Year 

For travellers seeking a different way to ring in the New Year, Australia and New Zealand offer the appeal of summer holidays, scenic landscapes and outdoor adventures. Australia’s iconic cities come alive with spectacular fireworks and waterfront celebrations. In Sydney, travellers can enjoy an elevated New Year’s Eve experience at Water’s Edge Sydney, combining a spectacular harbour setting with a bespoke New Year’s Eve menu, a four-course gourmet dinner, a late-night snack station and a 6.5-hour beverage package featuring champagne on arrival, wine, beer, soft drinks and juices. 

Melbourne offers a lively waterfront celebration in South Wharf, with a DJ, a vibrant party atmosphere and views of the midnight fireworks over the Yarra River, while the Gold Coast brings the excitement of New Year’s Eve at Surfers Paradise. Combination festive departures are also available, offering travellers more ways to explore Australia over the holiday season.

New Zealand complements the experience with its summer landscapes, outdoor pursuits and scenic escapes, making the region an appealing choice for travellers looking to combine year-end celebrations with a longer holiday.

Europe: Winter festivities 

Europe offers a distinctive year-end atmosphere, with festive markets, illuminated streets, seasonal gastronomy and celebrations across some of its most iconic cities. Destinations such as London, Paris, Vienna, Prague and Germany’s historic towns bring together Christmas markets, cultural attractions and winter experiences. Meanwhile, Switzerland and Austria offer snow-covered Alpine landscapes, scenic rail journeys, mountain stays, and winter sports. 

Greece offers a different perspective, with historic landmarks, coastal settings and cultural experiences that add variety to multi-country European itineraries.

For travellers seeking a more extraordinary winter escape, the Arctic offers the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights across destinations such as Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland. 

Beyond Aurora viewing, experiences include husky and reindeer sledging, snowmobile excursions, snowshoeing and stays in distinctive accommodation such as glass igloos and Arctic cabins. These journeys combine seasonal landscapes with immersive experiences, making them an appealing option for couples, families and travellers seeking something beyond conventional sightseeing.

Asia and beyond: Cultural discoveries 

Across Asia, year-end travel brings together cultural traditions, city experiences, local cuisine and opportunities to explore destinations at a more immersive pace. 

Japan offers a distinctive New Year experience, with traditional temple visits and Hatsumode, the first shrine or temple visit of the year, alongside its contemporary city attractions. 

Across Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam, New Year celebrations take on a more festive and social character, with gala dinners, entertainment and city celebrations forming part of the holiday experience. 

Multi-country combinations such as Singapore-Malaysia and Vietnam-Bali also let travellers turn the year-end break into a longer holiday. Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer another popular combination of festive celebrations, dining, entertainment and spectacular city experiences. At the same time, Azerbaijan and Georgia bring together winter landscapes, heritage, local cuisine and cultural exploration along with New Year celebrations.

Domestic holidays

For travellers looking to celebrate the year-end closer to home, India offers a diverse range of holiday experiences. Lakshadweep is emerging as an attractive choice for travellers seeking a premium island holiday without travelling overseas. To make the destination more accessible, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel have introduced direct charter flights from Bengaluru to Lakshadweep for the year-end season, offering travellers a convenient and seamless way to reach the island destination. Bhutan is another highlight, with special charter departures from Mumbai offering convenient access to the Himalayan kingdom and its monasteries, mountain scenery and distinctive cultural experiences. 

Other popular destinations include the Andamans, Kerala, Rajasthan and Sri Lanka, offering a choice of island holidays, backwater experiences, heritage trails and scenic escapes. Spiritual tourism is also gaining momentum, with travellers seeking meaningful, faith-led experiences across India to end the year. Pilgrimage circuits and temple towns such as Char Dham, Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Tirupati and Vaishno Devi continue to attract devotees looking to combine travel with prayer, reflection and spiritual discovery. 

Celebrations at sea

Cruises offer an alternative way to combine New Year celebrations with destination exploration, bringing accommodation, dining, entertainment and multiple destinations together within one journey. Onboard gala dinners, live entertainment, festive celebrations and ocean views create a memorable setting for welcoming the New Year, while port calls offer opportunities to explore destinations along the route. From Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern itineraries to Mediterranean voyages, Australia–New Zealand sailings and premium expedition cruises across the Arctic and Antarctica, travellers can choose from a variety of cruise experiences suited to different interests.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE Visa, Rajeev Kale said: “Indian travellers are looking to make the occasion memorable through distinctive experiences, whether it is watching the New Year fireworks over Sydney Harbour, exploring Europe’s festive markets and Alpine landscapes, experiencing multiple destinations on a cruise or choosing a premium island escape like Lakshadweep or a spiritual journey in India. This calls for holiday curation that brings together the right destinations, experiences and travel styles to suit different preferences.”

SOTC Travel President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, S.D. Nandakumar added: “While New Year celebrations remain an important draw, travellers are also looking to make the most of their trips through local traditions, seasonal attractions, outdoor adventures, unique stays and cruise journeys. Through our group tours and customised holidays, we bring together these varied experiences, offering travellers a choice of itineraries to suit their interests, whether they are looking for a festive city break, an experience-led destination getaway or a multi-destination journey.”

(Source: Thomas Cook India).

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The new service, launched on 25 October, is among the key international routes introduced under the airline’s largest-ever Winter Schedule 2026. During the six-month timetable, Air India Express operates about 585 daily flights, including up to 150 international departures, across a growing network of 65 destinations and more than 220 routes. 

The international network alone is set to grow from 83 routes to over 100 routes, supported by an expanding fleet of more than 105 aircraft.

The new Kochi-Bangkok service will operate four times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, offering non-stop connectivity between Kerala and Thailand’s capital city. Air India Express will operate about 250 weekly flights to and from Kochi during the Winter Schedule 2026, including 104 international and 146 domestic flights.

Along with the Kochi-Bangkok service, the airline has also introduced new services on the Kochi-Kuwait, Thiruvananthapuram-Bahrain, and Thiruvananthapuram-Riyadh routes, further strengthening Air India Express’ international network from Kerala. With these additions, Air India Express now operates around 575 weekly flights to and from Kerala, connecting the state to key domestic and international destinations.

(Source: Air India Express)

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With Dussehra, Durga Puja and Diwali approaching, accommodation search trends on digital travel platform Agoda show travellers looking at a mix of international experiences and domestic leisure breaks. 

Based on searches made between 1 August and 30 September 2026 for stays between 15 October and 30 November, Indian travellers most often searched Bangkok, Phuket and Tokyo, while Goa, Puri and Udaipur were the most popular domestic destinations.

Asia leads festival tour itineraries

International travel interest for Indian travellers is led by destinations across Asia, with Thailand, Vietnam and Japan among the most searched countries, recording 55%, 86% and 125% growth in searches, respectively, compared to last year. 

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, recorded almost 262% year-on-year growth in searches among the top international destinations, followed by Hong Kong SAR, China, at nearly 138%, indicating growing interest across a mix of destinations that offer cultural, culinary and leisure experiences.

At the city or resort level, Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand recorded 65% and 51% growth in searches, respectively, offering travellers a combination of cultural landmarks such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho along with local food and coastal experiences.

In Vietnam, Phu Quoc recorded 124% growth in searches by Indian travellers, with its beaches, island-hopping experiences and night markets offering a mix of leisure and local experiences. Hanoi recorded a 94% increase, with attractions such as the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake offering a glimpse of the city’s heritage. Tokyo also recorded 109% growth in searches from India, with the October to November travel window coinciding with its autumn foliage season, when spots such as Shinjuku Gyoen become popular for ‘Kōyō’, Japan’s tradition of enjoying the changing colours of the leaves.

Festive escapes return to perennial favourites

Within India, festive travel trends reflect a mix of leisure, cultural and nature-led getaways. Goa saw nearly 43% year-over-year growth in searches, while Udaipur grew by nearly 29%, reflecting continued interest in established leisure and heritage destinations. Puri recorded 318% growth in searches, followed by Ooty at 166% and Munnar at 107%, pointing to interest in coastal, hill and nature-focused breaks. Varanasi also saw 92% year-over-year growth, adding to interest in destinations tied to India’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

Agoda Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Gaurav Malik shared: “The festive period has traditionally been when travel and celebration come together, but the destinations people are considering reveal that there are now various ways to spend this time. Interest spans beach holidays, city breaks, cultural destinations, and hill station escapes, suggesting travellers choose destinations around the experience they want, rather than simply following a conventional itinerary. For Agoda, this also means helping people discover the right stay and experiences around increasingly diverse ways of travelling.”

(Source: Agoda)

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The monthly ranking identifies brands that show the most significant improvements across key consumer perceptions. Air India Express registered gains across five metrics: Buzz, Reputation, Recommend, Consideration, and Current Customer.

The recognition comes as Air India Express continues to strengthen its guest proposition through network expansion, fleet modernisation, and a sharper focus on customer experience. The airline has recorded a significant improvement in its Net Promoter Score (NPS), reflecting rising guest satisfaction and advocacy. At the same time, more than two-thirds of its fleet is now brand-new.

Recognition also highlighted Air India Express’s launch of its largest-ever Winter Schedule, effective 25 October 2026. The airline will expand operations to around 585 daily flights, including approximately 435 domestic and up to 150 international departures, supported by a fleet of more than 105 aircraft. The expanded schedule will further strengthen connectivity across India and key international markets in South, Southeast and West Asia, while offering guests greater choice, convenience, and seamless travel options across the network.

(Source: Air India Express)

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As part of the broader transition plan for domestic and international airlines to make way for the redevelopment of Terminal 1 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Air India Group will begin phasing some of its West Asia services to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).

Air India Express will operate four daily domestic flights from December 2026 and, from January 2027, planned services to Kuwait* and existing services to Oman.

Air India Group will progressively transition Air India Express services to Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, Muscat, and Sharjah to NMIA, with the process expected to be completed by the IATA Northern Summer 2027 season.

Both Indian and international airlines will support the long-awaited redevelopment of CSMIA Terminal 1. The phased move also supports the development of Mumbai’s dual-airport system while enabling Air India Group to continue serving the market efficiently and preserve existing operating slots at CSMIA.

Operating from both CSMIA and NMIA will strengthen connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, give travellers more choice and convenience, and support continued growth in the region’s aviation infrastructure.

Adani Airport Holdings Limited welcomed Air India Group’s plans to commence operations from NMIA. Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed with advanced technology, multimodal connectivity and scalable infrastructure to support the region’s future aviation growth and deliver a seamless travel experience.

*The transition of services to Kuwait from NMIA is subject to the requisite approvals.

(Source: Air India)

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The proposition, available in the coming weeks, will deliver travel privileges and access that meet the cross-border lifestyle and wealth needs of ‘Global Indians’, particularly those resident in Singapore and the UAE.

Standard Chartered will offer eligible Affluent Global Indian clients in Singapore and the UAE Air India’s Maharaja Club Gold or Silver status. 

Air India Maharaja Club status offers exclusive travel benefits, including extra baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding, airport lounge access, upgrade vouchers, and bonus Maharaja Points, with benefits varying incrementally from Silver to Gold tiers.

In particular, Maharaja Club Gold members also enjoy the benefits on eligible Air India journeys[1], as well as Star Alliance Gold status, which provides access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, priority airport services, and extra baggage benefits, and instant recognition around the world across 25 other Star Alliance member airlines in addition to Air India.

Managing cross-border financial needs

Air India customers banking with Standard Chartered in the UAE or Singapore who meet the eligibility criteria will receive dedicated relationship management support, market outlook insights from the Bank’s Chief Investment Office, invitations to exclusive thought leadership events, and tailored wealth solutions to support their cross-border financial needs.

Standard Chartered Head of Wealth and Retail Banking, UAE & Jersey, and Head, Global Indian Clients Rajesh Kannan said: “By combining Air India’s expanding global footprint with Standard Chartered’s international network and wealth capabilities, we are delivering exclusive multi-market travel benefits to our affluent clients while supporting their broader global lifestyle, business and wealth management needs.”

Air India Chief Commercial Officer, Nipun Aggarwal, added: “Combined with Standard Chartered’s cross-border banking and wealth management expertise, the proposition supports the increasingly international lifestyles of our customers while strengthening their connection with Air India.”

With a simplified structure, more customer-friendly features, renamed tiers, and an updated identity, Maharaja Club has added millions of new members since the programme was redesigned in 2024. Maharaja Club members are now able to earn and redeem Maharaja Points on flights operated by Air India and Air India Express to and from 104 destinations across North America, Europe (including the UK), Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, in addition to 25 other Star Alliance member airlines. Maharaja Club’s partnerships with over 100 other brands across categories, including hospitality, retail, lifestyle, and financial services, also let members earn Maharaja Points on a broad range of travel and everyday spends.

[1] Benefits on eligible Air India journeys include complimentary seat selection, applicable fee waivers, additional baggage allowance, lounge access, priority airport services, upgrade vouchers, and bonus Maharaja Points, subject to the programme’s terms and conditions.

(Source: Air India)

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Beginning 2 February 2027, Air India will operate four weekly flights between India’s capital and Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area using its Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

Osaka will become Air India’s second destination in Japan after Tokyo (Haneda), where the airline currently operates daily flights from Delhi and four weekly flights from Mumbai. The new service expands Air India’s presence in a market seeing strong demand from Indian travellers and deepening economic, tourism, and cultural ties between the two countries.

The Boeing 787-8 on the route offers 18 full-flat beds in business class and 241 economy seats.

The new service (AI360) will depart Delhi late evening and arrive in Osaka at a convenient time the following morning. 

The return flight (AI359) will depart Osaka late in the morning and arrive in Delhi the same evening, offering seamless connectivity to destinations across Air India’s domestic and international network.

Adding Osaka also lets travellers book ‘open-jaw’ itineraries, flying to Osaka and returning from Tokyo, or vice versa. This added flexibility matters as multi-city travel becomes increasingly popular among Indian visitors to Japan, especially along the country’s famed “Golden Route”, which includes Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

Air India is progressively making its Delhi-Osaka flights available for booking via the airline’s official website, mobile app, customer contact centre, airport ticketing offices, and travel agents worldwide.

Japan: A favourite among Indian travellers

Japan continues to gain popularity among Indian travellers. More than 315,000 Indian visitors travelled to Japan in 2025, up 35% from 2024 and nearly 80% above pre-pandemic levels, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO).

Rising interest in Japan’s leisure, cultural, and culinary experiences, along with growing business and people-to-people ties between the two countries, is driving the growth.

(Source: Air India)

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Chosen from 21 competing destinations, India is demonstrating something increasingly evident across business, technology and international affairs: it is ready and willing to step onto the global podium.

And India has every reason to be proud of what it has achieved.

With a population approaching 1.5 billion, an economy estimated by the IMF at around USD4.15 trillion in 2026, and projected real GDP growth of 6.5% this year, its scale is extraordinary.

Tourism provides another measure of that growing economic power. Indians made 32.83 million overseas departures in 2025, up 6.3% year-on-year. WTTC estimates that Travel & Tourism contributed USD263.6 billion to India’s economy in 2025 and supported 46.2 million jobs. It forecasts India rising from the world’s tenth-largest Travel & Tourism economy to fourth by 2036.

Indian arrivals reached 1.96 million in 2019. After the pandemic interruption, they recovered to 1.63 million in 2023, passed two million in 2024 and reached 2.49 million in 2025, generating approximately THB93.86 billion.

Thailand has a front-row seat to this transformation

India is now firmly one of Thailand’s most important tourism source markets. It supports demand across airlines, airports, hotels, restaurants, attractions, retail, transport and destination services. More importantly, the opportunity is not simply to attract more Indian visitors, but to increase the value generated by each visit.

Then there are weddings

Thailand has become a major international destination for Indian celebrations, hosting more than 400 Indian weddings annually in recent years. The wider Indian wedding and honeymoon market has been valued at more than USD130 billion.

These are high-value, multi-day events involving hotels, restaurants, transport, entertainment and often hundreds of guests. I recall hosting several at The Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall (PEACH), Royal Cliff in Pattaya. 

Each wedding can become a temporary economic ecosystem involving resorts, caterers, florists, decorators, photographers, performers, production companies and local suppliers. Guests often extend their stay, spreading spending well beyond the wedding venue.

My own relationship with India goes back many years, particularly through my work with Skål Asia and Skål Thailand. Those responsibilities put me in regular contact with Indian tourism leaders and colleagues and let me experience firsthand the extraordinary depth of the country’s travel and hospitality community.

I was also privileged to speak at a TAFI event, the Travel Agents Federation of India. I remember being particularly impressed by the event’s professionalism and the remarkable camaraderie and support within the Indian travel community.

That sense of community was equally evident at Skål gatherings in India. The quality of the hotels and organisation impressed me, but what stayed with me most was the warmth, confidence and sheer energy of the people involved.

India today has enormous pride in what it has achieved. Cities such as Hyderabad also illustrate another dimension of modern India. A new generation of highly educated young professionals working in technology, IT, digital services and international business is helping connect India ever more closely to the global economy. India has become a powerhouse in information technology while producing business and professional talent increasingly visible on the international stage.

That growing influence is also reflected in the number of Indians and people of Indian origin holding senior positions across multinational corporations, technology companies, international institutions, and global professional organisations. India is increasingly not simply represented at the table. Its people are helping to lead the discussion.

Tourism reflects that same transformation

Last week, at the Skål World Congress in South Africa, NSN Mohan of India was elected World President of Skål International, becoming the first Indian to hold the organisation’s highest office in its 92-year history. His election is another milestone for India and reflects the country’s growing influence and leadership in the global travel and tourism community.

Therefore, bringing WTTC’s world summit to Delhi feels entirely appropriate. India is no longer simply a huge emerging market whose potential lies somewhere in the future.

India: The future is here

For Thailand, there is an important lesson. China will remain fundamental to our tourism industry, but India represents an enormous second Asian engine of growth. Its expanding middle class, improving air connectivity, appetite for international travel and demand for weddings, family holidays, MICE, wellness and premium experiences create opportunities that Thailand is exceptionally well positioned to capture.

Having watched India’s tourism community develop over many years, I would never underestimate its ambition, professionalism or determination.

For Thailand, ASEAN and the wider international tourism industry, the message is straightforward:

India is a force to work with, not simply a sales opportunity; an outbound travel market to tap.

About the Author

Andrew J Wood is a British-born travel writer, tourism commentator and former hotelier based in Thailand since 1991. A graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh, he has more than four decades of hospitality and tourism experience in Asia and Europe, including senior appointments with Shangri-La, Minor International, Landmark Lancaster Hotel Group, Chaophya Park and Royal Cliff Hotels Group.

A Skål member since 1992, Andrew is a former Director and also President of Skål Asia and Skål Thailand, and has twice served as President of Skål International Bangkok. He is an active member of SATCC and affiliated associations and chambers. He writes on tourism, aviation, hospitality and sustainable destination development. The views expressed in his articles are his own.

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From 15 October 2026, the two airlines will deepen their commercial cooperation by offering customers a range of itinerary and flight options through their respective booking channels. 

This covers 126 weekly flights between Singapore and eight Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, and Mumbai.

Currently, an eligible Air India-operated codeshare flight booked through SIA must include an SIA-operated flight, and vice versa. This requirement will be removed from 15 October 2026, allowing customers to book eligible flights between India and Singapore operated by either airline on a standalone basis through the other carrier’s website, mobile application, and appointed travel agencies.

Customers will therefore have access to additional flight options and a more seamless booking experience, giving them greater flexibility and convenience when planning their journeys.

In April 2026, Air India and SIA enhanced reciprocal mileage accrual benefits by expanding eligible booking classes and revising earn rates across all cabin classes. Maharaja Club and KrisFlyer members can now earn miles on a wider range of eligible flights operated by either airline.

From the second quarter of 2027, Maharaja Club and KrisFlyer members will enjoy enhanced reciprocal benefits on eligible routes, in addition to their existing Star Alliance privileges.

Maharaja Club Platinum and KrisFlyer PPS Club members will enjoy priority check-in and boarding privileges, alongside other top-tier members of the respective airlines. Maharaja Club Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Silver members will also receive additional baggage allowances and priority boarding benefits on eligible routes, providing greater recognition and a more consistent experience across both carriers.

Air India and SIA are also working on further customer-focused initiatives, including improved schedule connectivity to reduce layovers and waiting times, enhanced offerings for corporate customers, and additional measures to streamline the travel experience.

Air India Chief Commercial Officer, Nipun Agarwal, said: “Strategic partnerships will play a key role in Air India’s evolution into a leading, world-class global airline. The next phase of our cooperation with Singapore Airlines reflects a shared commitment to putting customers at the centre of everything we do. By building on the strengths of our two airlines, we aim to bring greater consistency to the travel experience of our common customers between India and Singapore, while delivering greater choice, convenience and value. As demand for travel between our countries continues to grow, this partnership positions us to serve that opportunity even better.”

Singapore Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, Lee Lik Hsin, added: “The first phase of our strategic commercial partnership with Air India is an important step towards delivering greater benefits and a more seamless experience for our customers. Demand for travel between Singapore and India remains strong, and this partnership will give customers greater choice and convenience, as well as enhanced reciprocal benefits for our frequent flyer members. Customers can look forward to more initiatives that give them more options and strengthen connectivity between the two countries.”

Today, Air India and SIA have a comprehensive codeshare agreement covering 77 destinations across 27 countries and territories. Through their hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Singapore, the two airlines give customers access to an extensive network across Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, and beyond. 

(Source: Air India)

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Effective 25 October 2026, the schedule will roll out in phases, taking the airline to around 585 daily flights, including approximately 435 domestic and up to 150 international departures. 

The expanded schedule reinforces the airline’s growing presence across its key hubs, supported by an expanding fleet of over 105 aircraft and enhanced capacity across both domestic and international markets. Designed to offer guests greater choice and convenience, the network expansion reflects Air India Express’ continued focus on creating meaningful connections between people, places, and cultures.

Commenting on the winter schedule 2026, Air India Express Chair Nipun Aggarwal said: “As a leading value carrier, Air India Express is focused on making travel more accessible, convenient, and comfortable by strengthening connectivity across metros, emerging cities, and underserved markets. Even as the industry navigates elevated fuel costs and broader operating challenges, we remain committed to disciplined, sustainable growth and delivering meaningful value to our guests through a relevant network and the warmth of Indian hospitality.”

This winter, the airline will launch more than 40 new routes across domestic and international markets, significantly improving its network and travel flexibility. Air India Express operations are set to increase from about 3,150 weekly flights in the Summer 2026 schedule to nearly 4,100 weekly flights in the Winter 2026 Schedule, while one-stop connectivity will expand from about 1,330 weekly connections to nearly 1,600, enabling more seamless travel across the airline’s expansive network. Highlights of the new routes being introduced under the Winter Schedule 2026 include:

International routes

• • Abu Dhabi – Goa (Mopa): 3x Weekly
• • Amritsar – Abu Dhabi: 3x Weekly
• • Bahrain – Thiruvananthapuram: 2x Weekly
• • Bangkok – Indore: 4x Weekly
• • Bangkok – Kochi: 4x Weekly
• • Bangkok – Visakhapatnam: 2x Weekly
• • Bengaluru – Kathmandu: 7x Weekly
• • Bhopal – Sharjah: 3x Weekly
• • Chandigarh – Sharjah: 4x Weekly
• • Chennai – Singapore: 14x Weekly
• • Delhi – Riyadh: 4x Weekly
• • Dubai – Goa (Dabolim): 7x Weekly
• • Kochi – Kuwait: 3x Weekly
• • Lucknow – Ras Al Khaimah: 4x Weekly
• • Lucknow – Riyadh: 3x Weekly
• • Mangaluru – Kuwait: 3x Weekly
• • Mangaluru – Ras Al Khaimah: 2x Weekly
• • Mumbai – Kuwait: 3x Weekly
• • Phuket – Hyderabad: 4x Weekly
• • Riyadh – Thiruvananthapuram: 3x Weekly
• • Sharjah – Surat: 3x Weekly

Domestic routes

• • Ahmedabad – Delhi: 7x Weekly
• • Bengaluru – Coimbatore: 14x Weekly
• • Bengaluru – Goa (Mopa): 7x Weekly
• • Bengaluru – Jodhpur: 7x Weekly
• • Bengaluru – Madurai: 7x Weekly
• • Bhubaneswar – Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair): 4x Weekly
• • Bhopal – Navi Mumbai: 3x Weekly
• • Delhi – Jaipur: 5x Weekly
• • Delhi – Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair): 7x Weekly
• • Delhi – Udaipur: 7x Weekly
• • Hyderabad – Mangaluru: 3x Weekly
• • Hyderabad – Pune: 7x Weekly
• • Indore – Navi Mumbai: 4x Weekly
• • Kolkata – Pune: 2x Weekly
• • Mumbai – Nagpur: 7x Weekly

(Source: Air India Express)

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