Surat: Air India Express is set to resume its direct Surat-Dubai flight service from May 17, bringing relief to passengers and businessmen travelling to Gulf countries. Ticket bookings for the route have already started.

The service had remained suspended since February due to limited slot availability for foreign airlines at Dubai Airport and tensions arising from the Iran-US conflict.

At present, Surat does not have any direct international flight service, causing inconvenience to travellers, particularly those working or doing business in Gulf nations.

The route witnessed significant demand, with 79,411 passengers travelling between Surat and Dubai during the financial year 2025-26.

Passengers have urged the airline and authorities to keep airfares under control. It is learnt that additional international routes from Surat may also be launched in the near future. DeshGujarat