Indore Now Just 3 Hours 15 Minutes from Abu Dhabi; Direct Flight to Give New Wings to Tourism: Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

Madhya Pradesh has achieved a historic milestone in international aviation and global connectivity with the launch of its first direct international flight. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Wednesday inaugurated the state’s first direct international air service between Indore and Abu Dhabi. He flagged off the regular flight, funded under the Madhya Pradesh Civil Aviation Policy-2025, from Devi Ahilyabai International Airport, Indore. Initially, the service will operate four days a week—Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the direct Indore-Abu Dhabi flight is not merely a connection between two cities, but a strong bridge linking two friendly nations, two vibrant cultures and limitless opportunities. He said the new air service would provide fresh impetus to Madhya Pradesh’s development, trade, tourism and global investment. Earlier, travelling from Indore to Abu Dhabi took around eight hours; the direct flight will now reduce the journey to just 3 hours and 15 minutes. The Chief Minister also handed over boarding passes to passengers travelling on the inaugural flight to Abu Dhabi. The route is being operated by Air India Express, a Tata Group airline.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Madhya Pradesh Government has implemented the Civil Aviation Policy-2025, under which the state’s first direct international flight from Indore to Abu Dhabi has become a reality. He said the state government has also launched regional air connectivity and the PM Shri Heli Service, under which flights are currently operating between Rewa-Indore, Rewa-Delhi and Rewa-Raipur. Similar services from Jabalpur to Kolkata, Bhopal to Rewa, and Bhopal to Patna and Rewa to Kolkata will be launched in the near future. He added that the PM Shri Heli Service has also been introduced to promote religious tourism within the state. Madhya Pradesh is also the first state in the country to introduce the PM Shri Air Ambulance Service for the poor and needy.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said the state government is committed to expanding international air connectivity from Madhya Pradesh. Under the new Civil Aviation Policy, the state government will provide Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of approximately ₹15 lakh per flight for the Indore-Abu Dhabi route. This support is expected to reduce airfares for passengers by nearly half. The policy also provides VGF assistance of up to ₹10 lakh for the operation of new domestic air routes.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that airport infrastructure and air connectivity are expanding rapidly across Madhya Pradesh. The state government has inaugurated three new airports over the past two-and-a-half years. Two more airports are currently under construction in Ujjain and Shivpuri. Over the next few years, ten major cities in the state are expected to be connected through expanded airport infrastructure. The government has proposed the development of a commercial airport or airstrip within every 100-kilometre radius and a helipad within every 45-kilometre radius across the state. Permanent helipads will also be constructed in all 230 Assembly constituencies.

Abu Dhabi, Administrative Capital of UAE, Now Connected to Indore, Economic Capital of MP

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said Madhya Pradesh is steadily strengthening connectivity and developing modern infrastructure. He said the direct flight between Indore, the economic capital of the state, and Abu Dhabi, the administrative capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), would greatly benefit industry, trade, education, healthcare, tourism and the Indian diaspora. The service will save travel time, make travel more convenient, strengthen economic and cultural ties between Madhya Pradesh and the UAE, and open new avenues for investment, employment and tourism.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the regular international service between Indore and Abu Dhabi would further enhance the global profile of both Indore and Madhya Pradesh. He described the flight as a significant milestone in establishing Madhya Pradesh as a major hub for international trade and tourism. The Chief Minister said that the direct international service represents a major step towards realising the vision of a developed, self-reliant and globally connected Madhya Pradesh. He added that the new air service reflects the state’s growing economic strength, expanding investment potential and increasing confidence among global airlines.

Member of Parliament Shri Shankar Lalwani said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, airport development has accelerated across the country. Nearly 154 new airports have been developed over the past 12 years, creating a historic milestone. He said Indore Airport is also setting new benchmarks, while Chief Minister Dr. Yadav remains committed to expanding air connectivity. The number of flights operating from Indore Airport has nearly doubled. Although the airport has an annual passenger handling capacity of 40 lakh, it handled 43 lakh passengers over the past year, exceeding its designed capacity. He attributed the increase to rapid industrial development around Indore and Pithampur and said passenger traffic is expected to grow further in view of Simhastha-2028. He also emphasised the need for a new terminal building and extension of the runway to meet future requirements.

Water Resources Minister Shri Tulsiram Silawat, MLAs Smt. Malini Gaur and Shri Golu Shukla, Indore Mayor Shri Pushyamitra Bhargav, other public representatives, officials of the Airports Authority and passengers were present on the occasion.