Emirates Airlines has proudly marked a monumental achievement by carrying over 90 million passengers between Dubai and India since its operations began in 1985. This milestone comes during the first official visit of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, to India, reinforcing the deepening aviation and diplomatic ties between the UAE and India.
As one of Emirates’ first international routes, the India-Dubai air corridor has grown exponentially, with the airline now operating 167 weekly flights connecting Dubai to nine major Indian cities. The significance of this relationship is underscored by the recent visit of Sheikh Hamdan, accompanied by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of Emirates Airline, who further solidified the two nations’ aviation partnership. 
Sheikh Ahmed highlighted the long-standing collaboration between the UAE and India, stating on social media, “India has been a cornerstone of Emirates’ operations, and we are proud of our role in enhancing connectivity between our two nations. Our talks with Indian leaders reaffirm the shared vision of continued growth and innovation.”
In addition to Emirates, six other major carriers operate 538 weekly flights between Dubai and 23 key Indian cities. This impressive flight schedule positions the India-Dubai route as one of the busiest and most vital air corridors globally, underlining the increasing demand for travel between the two nations.
The growing aviation links reflect broader economic, cultural, and tourism relations. In 2024 alone, India was the largest source of international passengers for Dubai International Airport (DXB), with 12 million of the total 92.3 million passengers flying between Dubai and India. The UAE’s strategic investments in expanding its aviation infrastructure have ensured that Dubai remains a prime destination for Indian travelers, particularly as tourism booms across the region.
Further amplifying the close relationship, Dubai welcomed 3.14 million visitors from South Asia in 2024, with India contributing the largest share of this influx. This surge in visitors is expected to continue as Dubai strengthens its global aviation network, offering more convenient connections for travelers from India and other parts of South Asia.
As Dubai’s aviation sector continues to expand, it is set to further bolster bilateral trade, tourism, and business relations between the UAE and India, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub and a preferred destination for millions of Indian travelers.
