Etihad and IndiGo add three India routes to Abu Dhabi network

IndiGo and Etihad Airways have expanded flight operations between Abu Dhabi and India, adding three new direct destinations to the capital’s aviation network this month. The expansion introduces non-stop services to Mangaluru, Tiruchirappalli, and Coimbatore, increasing the total number of Indian cities connected to Abu Dhabi to 13. The move follows a surge in demand for regional connectivity between the UAE and India’s secondary cities. On Tuesday, 4 August, aviation data confirmed that IndiGo has commenced daily flights to Mangaluru and Tiruchirappalli, while Etihad Airways has integrated Coimbatore into its weekly schedule. These routes target the high volume of expatriate workers and business travelers from southern India who previously relied on connecting flights through Dubai or Doha. Capacity and Frequency Increases The new routes are part of a broader bilateral effort to utilize increased seat capacities under the UAE-India air services agreement. Etihad Airways now operates 175 weekly flights to India, representing a 33 percent increase in capacity compared to the previous year. IndiGo has also scaled its presence at Zayed International Airport (AUH), positioning the terminal as a primary hub for its Middle Eastern operations. Industry data from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce indicates that India remains the top destination for passenger traffic from the capital. The introduction of these direct flights is expected to reduce average travel time by approximately…