Surat: Exciting news for international travellers from Surat and South Gujarat! Air India Express is set to resume direct flights between Surat and Sharjah from November 2026, restoring an important international air connection between the city and the UAE.
The service is scheduled to restart under the upcoming winter flight schedule, with bookings already open. Initially, the airline is expected to operate the Surat-Sharjah service once a week, while the frequency could later increase to three or four days a week depending on passenger demand.
Surat-Sharjah direct flights to restart on November 4
According to the current booking schedule, the first direct flight is scheduled for November 4, 2026. The outbound service, Air India Express flight IX 275, will operate from Surat Airport to Sharjah International Airport using an Airbus A320 aircraft.
The scheduled timings are:
| Flight | Route | Departure | Arrival | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IX 275 | Surat → Sharjah | 1:25 PM | 3:15 PM | Airbus A320 |
| IX 342 | Sharjah → Surat | 5:50 PM | 10:00 PM | Airbus A320 |
The published schedule lists the Surat-Sharjah sector with a flight duration of around 3 hours 20 minutes, while the return journey is scheduled for around 2 hours 40 minutes.
Major boost for Surat’s international connectivity
The return of direct Sharjah flights is significant for Surat, which has been seeking stronger international connectivity from its airport. The service will provide passengers from Surat and South Gujarat with a direct link to the UAE, reducing the need to rely on connecting flights through other airports. The route is expected to benefit people travelling to the UAE for business, employment, tourism and family visits.
Frequency could increase after strong demand
Initially, Air India Express is expected to operate the direct Surat-Sharjah service once a week. However, the airline could increase the frequency to three or four days a week if passenger demand remains strong. This would provide considerably more flexibility for travellers and could further strengthen Surat’s international aviation network.
For Surat, passenger demand will therefore play an important role in determining how frequently the route operates in the future.
Good news for Surat’s UAE travellers
Thousands of people from Surat and surrounding areas regularly travel to the UAE for work, business, tourism and family purposes. A direct flight from Surat can make the journey more convenient by eliminating the need for passengers to travel to another Indian airport for a connecting international flight.
The resumption is therefore expected to be particularly welcomed by Gujarati families, business travellers, overseas workers and tourists who frequently travel between South Gujarat and the UAE.
Surat Airport’s international network gets another boost
Surat Airport has previously handled international services to destinations including Sharjah, Dubai and Bangkok. However, some international routes have been discontinued or have operated intermittently over time. The return of the Surat-Sharjah service adds another international connection to the airport’s network and could strengthen Surat’s position as an important aviation gateway for South Gujarat.
Bookings already open
With bookings already available for the upcoming service, passengers planning travel between Surat and Sharjah can begin checking the available dates and fares. The first scheduled flight is November 4, 2026, with Air India Express operating the service using an Airbus A320.
For Surat residents, the development is more than just another flight announcement—it represents the return of a direct international connection to the UAE, offering greater convenience for business, work, tourism and family travel.
If demand remains strong, the possibility of increasing the service to three or four days a week could make the development even more significant for Surat’s international connectivity.
Also read, Surat-Udaipur Vande Bharat Express Approved: Route, Timetable and Stoppages
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