India’s national carrier, Air India, is setting the stage for a dramatic uplift in domestic and international access by expanding its flight network. Starting this winter, the airline will boost frequencies and add new services to nine important Indian destinations: Varanasi, Raipur, Port Blair, Aurangabad, Guwahati, Nagpur, Dehradun, Patna and Amritsar.
Due to take effect with the launch of the Northern Winter Schedule on 26 October, this initiative aims to open up smoother access for business, tourism and personal travel. By increasing direct and frequent flights to these cities, Air India is making them more reachable for travellers across India and beyond—even from international gateways.
Key Destination Upgrades
- Varanasi & Raipur: Daily flights will rise from two to three, increasing ease of access for travellers.
- Port Blair, Aurangabad, Guwahati & Nagpur: Each will move from one to two daily flights on the Delhi hub, tapping into growing demand for regional tourism.
- Dehradun, Patna: Flights will increase from one to two daily under the new winter network, offering more flexibility for travellers heading to these historic and regional centres.
- Amritsar: Also slated to receive enhanced connectivity, part of the airline’s aim to strengthen travel to northern regions.
These upgrades reflect Air India’s response to growth in travel demand across India’s tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and to enhance inter-regional connectivity during the peak winter season.
Domestic & International Network Boost
Beyond the nine cities, Air India is also scaling up services on both domestic and short-haul international routes:
- The Delhi–Kuala Lumpur service increases from 7 to 10 flights per week from 15 November.
- Delhi–Denpasar (Bali) will also grow to 10 weekly flights starting 1 December.
- On the domestic front, other regions like Rajasthan (Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur), Madhya Pradesh (Indore, Bhopal) and Gujarat (Bhuj, Rajkot) will see added frequencies.
This dual focus ensures that while regional Indian cities gain better access, Indian passengers also enjoy improved links abroad.
Airport Terminal Realignment in New Delhi
As part of the expansion, Air India will also shift some of its operations at the capital’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). From 26 October:
- 60 of the approximately 180 daily domestic flights will move from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2 to manage increasing traffic and support expansion at T3.
- Flight numbers in T2 will start with “AI1XXX” to help passengers identify their departure terminal.
- International flights will continue to operate from T3 with no disruption to service.
These adjustments aim to ensure smoother passenger flows and better terminal efficiency during a busy travel season.
Why This Matters for Tourism
The move holds serious advantages for travellers and destinations alike:
- Better reach: Cities like Port Blair (Andaman Islands) and Aurangabad (gateway to Ajanta-Ellora) become more accessible, opening up tourist circuits.
- Off-peak potential: With more flights, travellers have options beyond the high-season rush, possibly leading to less crowded journeys and better deals.
- Regional growth: Improved aviation links boost rural or regional areas, encouraging tourism-led economic growth in smaller destinations.
- International travellers: More connections to Indian cities and onward links mean easier access for foreign visitors seeking to explore beyond major metros.
From the traveller’s viewpoint, this means more flexibility, more direct options and the chance to explore lesser-visited corners of the country without multiple flight changes.
Fleet Readiness & Operational Support
To support the upscaled network, Air India continues with its fleet modernisation drive. The carrier has invested in newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft in recent years, enabling increased flight frequency while maintaining service standards. This ensures that as more flights go live, the airline remains capable of delivering reliability and comfort to passengers.
Preparing for the Winter Travel Season
With the winter travel peak fast approaching, the timing of this rollout is strategic. Whether you’re planning a leisure trip to Aurangabad, heading to the spiritual city of Varanasi, or making use of business links at Guwahati and Nagpur, travel becomes more convenient. International travellers can also leverage improved connectivity to less-visited Indian cities via hub airports.
From a traveller’s perspective: book early, check for direct flight options to your destination, and be aware of the terminal arrangements at Delhi if connecting via the capital.
The Bigger Picture
This expansion reflects a broader trend in Indian aviation—greater focus on regional connectivity, tier-2/tier-3 destinations and opening up new tourist corridors. The benefits ripple beyond aviation. Enhanced transport links often stimulate hotel, hospitality and allied services in emerging travel markets.
For Air India, the strategy signals its intent to not just compete in major corridors but to become the go-to carrier for emerging routes across India. For travellers and industry stakeholders alike, this bodes well for wider choice, stronger infrastructure and deeper travel experiences beyond the well-trodden path.
With flights increasing, terminals shifting and destinations widening, this winter promises to be a more accessible time to explore India. From Patna to Port Blair, from Raipur to Amritsar, the doors are opening—and getting on board just got a little easier.
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