Abu Dhabi is enhancing its air links with India owing to the rising passenger traffic which motivates the growth of direct flights. The enhancement will facilitate the traveling from one country to another and promote tourism as well as the business and trade relations.
India has become the key international travel market for Abu Dhabi. Millions of Indian passengers use Abu Dhabi every year; that is why the development of direct routes is caused by the growing importance of India for Abu Dhabi.
Zayed International Airport of Abu Dhabi has enhanced its connectivity with India to include 22 cities; therefore, it becomes convenient for people from different cities of India to reach the UAE's capital city.
There are many passengers who go through Zayed International Airport, and out of these passengers, the largest number are Indian. More than 7 million Indian passengers travel to and fro through Zayed International Airport of Abu Dhabi each year. There is an increase in the number of Indian passengers every year.
The reason behind this is that there has been an increase in the need for direct flights between India and Abu Dhabi, and this step has been taken accordingly to meet this requirement.
Various airlines are extending services of the airlines operating from Abu Dhabi to various Indian cities, including cities beyond the biggest metropolises of India.
Air India Express has launched direct flights between Abu Dhabi and cities like Navi Mumbai, Indore, and Lucknow, among others. In addition to that, Air India Express has further increased the connectivity of various Indian destinations.
This step becomes essential due to the fact that the airline has now started direct flights to the capital city of Abu Dhabi from different parts of India. Travellers from central, north, west and other regions of India are now able to reach Abu Dhabi without the need to visit any big aviation hub of India like Delhi or Mumbai.
Moreover, the step is very useful for Indian expatriates and families travelling between India and the UAE on a regular basis.
The step has been taken at a time when international travel demand in India is increasing rapidly. Various factors like middle-class growth, an increase in disposable income, business expansion and increased interest in vacations are fuelling the growth of the Indian aviation market.
The UAE in particular is considered a very appealing destination for Indian travellers because of the short flying time, good connectivity and numerous tourism- and business-related opportunities.
In addition to that, Abu Dhabi's status as an international aviation hub is advantageous to those passengers who continue to their destination in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.
Abu Dhabi is not only a place where Indian tourists end up going but also a transit point for many of them.
Many Indians use Abu Dhabi airport as a transfer point to other international destinations. Better connectivity will serve to the advantage of such people both directly and indirectly as they travel from their Indian cities to other foreign destinations.
Overall, increased connectivity between India and Abu Dhabi might assist airlines in gaining extra passengers, as well as becoming more efficient. The fact that there is going to be more choice of flights allows travellers more options when selecting airlines, their departure times and connecting flights.
It might be said that increased connectivity is going to provide certain benefits to the tourism industry of Abu Dhabi as well.
India is one of the main sources of tourists for Abu Dhabi. Increased access to this destination is expected to attract more tourists who are interested in visiting this emirate to relax, shop, experience the culture and simply have holidays.
There are many places in Abu Dhabi that are very interesting for tourists, including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. The presence of culture, entertainment, luxury hotels and advanced infrastructure makes Abu Dhabi a preferred tourist destination for international visitors.
Increased number of tourists will have positive impact on the economy via hotels, restaurants, transport and entertainment companies.
Besides, the expanded air connectivity will be of great importance for the business cooperation between India and UAE.
India and the UAE have close relations in terms of business, and businessmen and businesspeople travel a lot between these two countries. Additional direct flights will facilitate their travels greatly.
Along with increased connectivity via flights, there have been various initiatives undertaken by Abu Dhabi authorities aimed at drawing more Indian tourists.
Tourism organisations and travel companies are making an effort to make holidays in Abu Dhabi attractive and affordable for Indian tourists. Tourism campaigns, packages and incentives are being used to make people choose Abu Dhabi as a destination for international holidays.
These initiatives are supplementary to the development of direct flights because increased connectivity makes travelling easier, while the campaigns may serve as an encouragement for people to choose the destination.
It is not just important from a commercial standpoint but also from the perspective of the relations that exist between people of both countries.
Millions of Indians stay in the UAE, and this is why the bond between the two countries is very strong.
More flights will help the people of both countries see their loved ones who stay in either one of these places.
Thus, better air connectivity can help build stronger ties between India and Abu Dhabi.
