Divya Agarwal
The expansion begins October 27, with bookings open for three weekly services to Riyadh and two to Bahrain.
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], October 3: Air India Express will expand its Gulf network from Kerala’s capital with direct services to Riyadh and Bahrain, under an announced rollout beginning October 27, 2026. Bookings for both routes are open, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport said in a statement on Saturday.
Flights to Riyadh will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while the Bahrain service will run on Thursdays and Saturdays. The additions will give passengers more travel options between southern Kerala and the two Gulf destinations.
The Riyadh connection addresses what airport authorities described as a long-standing demand for direct access to the Saudi capital. Air India Express already operates a daily service to Dammam, and the new route will widen its connections between Thiruvananthapuram and Saudi Arabia.
Airport authorities said the Riyadh service is expected to particularly benefit expatriates from southern Kerala and neighbouring Tamil Nadu who live and work in Saudi Arabia. For passengers who would otherwise need a connecting itinerary, the direct service could remove a stopover from the journey.
On the Bahrain route, the airline will join Gulf Air, which already operates daily flights from Thiruvananthapuram. The additional departures will give passengers another carrier to consider when comparing schedules and fares.
The expansion is based on an existing Gulf network. As noted by the airport, Thiruvananthapuram currently sees “over 250 weekly arrivals and departures” to and from the Gulf, which is vital for the city.
Air India Express’s booking webpage shows Thiruvananthapuram – Riyadh for travel on 27 October. Prices shown are subject to availability and may change at any time before purchase.
