Air India Express is accelerating a strategic shift in its network under the Tata Group-led consolidation of the Air India Group, with Bengaluru emerging as the centerpiece of its future growth. Recent slot filings and schedule updates for the Summer 2026 season show the low-cost carrier strengthening its international presence from the southern hub, even as it scales back operations in several other cities.
The latest changes underscore a broader realignment within the group, as Air India Express takes on a larger role in short- and medium-haul international markets, while Air India narrows its focus toward long-haul and premium-heavy routes. The reallocation of capacity reflects a deliberate effort to reduce overlap between the two airlines and deploy aircraft where demand and slot availability are most favorable.
Bengaluru Becomes a Key International Growth Hub
Bengaluru is set to gain two new daily international services starting Summer 2026, cementing its position as Air India Express’ most important hub. According to slot filings, the airline will launch daily Boeing 737-8 flights to Dubai and Doha, significantly enhancing connectivity to the Gulf region.
On the Bengaluru–Dubai sector, flight IX 920 will depart Bengaluru at 8:10 p.m. IST and arrive in Dubai at 10:40 p.m. local time. The return service, IX 921, will leave Dubai at 11:40 p.m. and land in Bengaluru the following morning at 5:25 a.m. IST. The Bengaluru–Doha service will see flight IX 999 depart at 8:35 p.m. IST and arrive in Doha at 10:25 p.m. local time, with the return flight IX 998 departing at 11:35 p.m. and reaching Bengaluru at 6:15 a.m. IST the next day.
These additions come as Air India reduces capacity on certain Gulf routes, freeing up slots that are being redeployed by its low-cost arm. The strategy highlights Bengaluru’s growing importance as a base for sustained narrowbody international operations.
Air India Scales Back Select Gulf Operations
As part of the Summer 2026 schedule changes, Air India is set to reduce its Mumbai–Doha service from twice daily to once daily, a notable adjustment on one of the most competitive India–Gulf routes. The freed-up capacity is expected to support the launch of Air India Express’ new Bengaluru–Doha flights.
In another significant move, Air India will end its Chennai–Dubai service from Summer 2026. The available slots will be taken over by Air India Express, which plans to deploy them on the Bengaluru–Dubai route. For an airline building a strong hub, Dubai represents a high-demand market that aligns well with Bengaluru’s traffic profile.
Strong Fundamentals Support Bengaluru’s Rise
With the addition of Doha and Dubai, Air India Express’ international destinations from Bengaluru will rise from seven to nine. Overall, the airline currently serves 43 destinations from the city, including 36 domestic routes. The expansion reinforces Bengaluru’s role as a major international gateway within the Air India Group.
Bengaluru offers a rare combination of strong business travel demand driven by its IT and corporate base, a large expatriate population, and consistent outbound leisure traffic. Unlike more seasonal markets, the city delivers stable, year-round demand, supporting reliable load factors on both domestic and international routes. The airport also benefits from relatively better slot availability compared with Mumbai or Delhi, along with strong feeder traffic from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Hyderabad and Chennai See Network Contraction
While Bengaluru’s network grows, other cities are seeing sharp reductions. Air India Express’ presence in Hyderabad has contracted significantly between Winter 2025 and early 2026. The number of destinations served has fallen from around 21 to just nine, while average daily departures have dropped from about 25 to 15. Several domestic routes have been withdrawn, and multiple international services have been suspended or downgraded, pointing to a structural rather than seasonal shift.
Chennai has also seen a gradual pullback. The airline has rationalized underperforming domestic sectors and has fully withdrawn its international operations from the city, where Air India Group previously operated flights to destinations such as Dammam, Kuwait, Muscat, and Colombo.
Strategic Shift Toward Fewer, Stronger Bases
The evolving network reflects a clear strategic direction: fewer hubs with greater scale and efficiency. Air India Express appears to be prioritizing Bengaluru as its primary hub, supported by key Kerala airports—Kochi, Kozhikode, and Kannur—and select North Indian cities where labor and visiting-friends-and-relatives demand remains strong.
By concentrating capacity, the airline aims to improve aircraft utilization and strengthen its competitive position, particularly against larger low-cost rivals. At the group level, the approach supports a clearer division of roles, with Air India focusing on long-haul and premium traffic and Air India Express targeting short- and medium-haul leisure and VFR markets.
Looking ahead, the Summer 2026 additions of Doha and Dubai are expected to further anchor Bengaluru’s status as Air India Express’ leading international hub, while other cities play a more limited role in the reshaped network.
