The Air India Express winter schedule began rolling out on 25 October 2026, and the airline calls it its largest winter network on record. It adds new domestic and international routes and lifts weekly flights by about a third. So if you fly this budget carrier, your usual timings may have changed.
Quick answer
- Start date: 25 October 2026, rolled out in phases.
- Daily flights: about 585, roughly 435 domestic and up to 150 international.
- Weekly flights: nearly 4,100, up from about 3,150 last summer.
- Fleet: more than 105 aircraft.
- New routes: the airline says more than 40.
What changed in the winter schedule
According to The Business Travel India, the airline now plans about 4,100 weekly flights. That is roughly one third more than last summer. Another report, from TTR Weekly, adds that weekly one stop connections rise from about 1,330 to nearly 1,600.
The count of new routes varies by report. The airline talks of more than 40, but the lists published so far name 36, made up of 21 international and 15 domestic. In short, treat the exact number as approximate and check the route you care about.
New routes worth knowing
On the domestic side, Delhi gets daily flights to Ahmedabad, Port Blair and Udaipur, plus five weekly departures to Jaipur. Bengaluru gains new links including Jodhpur and Madurai. Also, new city pairs include Bhopal to Navi Mumbai and Hyderabad to Mangaluru.
Internationally, the airline is adding Bengaluru to Kathmandu, Chennai to Singapore and Delhi to Riyadh. Capacity also goes up to Bangkok, Phuket, Kuwait and the UAE. Southeast Asia and the Gulf are the priority markets, according to the reports.
Frequency matters as much as the city list. For example, the Chennai to Singapore and Bengaluru to Coimbatore flights are listed at 14 times a week, while Mumbai to Nagpur runs 7 times a week.
What flyers should check before booking
Because the rollout is phased, some routes start later than 25 October. So confirm the first operating date on the airline’s booking page. Then check the flight number and departure time again a few days before you travel, since winter timings can shift.
If you fly from Mumbai, remember the airport map is changing too. Our note on the Navi Mumbai airport shift explains which flights may move. Also, if you are planning a heritage trip, see our guide to the Air India Khajuraho flights.
Finally, holiday weeks fill early. However, a bigger schedule can also mean more seat choice on busy sectors, so compare a few dates before you pay.
FAQ
When did the Air India Express winter schedule start?
It began on 25 October 2026 and is rolling out in phases. Some routes may begin on later dates.
How many flights will Air India Express operate daily?
The airline plans about 585 daily flights this winter. Roughly 435 are domestic and up to 150 are international.
Which new international routes were announced?
Reports list Bengaluru to Kathmandu, Chennai to Singapore and Delhi to Riyadh. Extra capacity is also planned to Bangkok, Phuket, Kuwait and the UAE.